Regulation of cell adhesion and migration by Kindlin-3 cleavage by calpain

J Biol Chem. 2012 Nov 16;287(47):40012-20. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.380469. Epub 2012 Sep 25.

Abstract

Integrin activation on hematopoietic cells is essential for platelet aggregation, leukocyte adhesion, and transmigration through endothelium and extracellular matrix into inflamed tissues. To migrate through matrix, leukocyte integrin adhesion complexes undergo dynamic changes. Here we show that Kindlin-3, a main activator and binding partner of integrins in hematopoietic cells, can be cleaved by calpain in an activation-dependent manner. This calpain-mediated cleavage occurs in platelets and leukocytes as well as in endothelial cells. We determined the calpain I cleavage site in Kindlin-3 at tyrosine 373 in the N-terminal part of Kindlin-3 pleckstrin homology domain. Expression of the calpain-resistant Y373N mutant of Kindlin-3 promotes stronger cell adhesion to extracellular matrix under flow as well as to activated endothelium. In contrast, Y373N mutation in Kindlin-3 hinders cell migration. Mechanistically, calpain-resistant Y373N mutant of Kindlin-3 exhibited an activation-independent association with β integrin cytoplasm domain. Thus, cleavage of Kindlin-3 by calpain controls the dynamics of integrin-Kindlin-3 interaction and as a result, integrin-dependent adhesion and migration of hematopoietic cells. This represents a novel mechanism regulating reversibility of integrin adhesion complexes in leukocytes, which, in turn, is critical for their successful transmigration through the extracellular matrix.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Calpain / genetics
  • Calpain / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Integrins / genetics
  • Integrins / metabolism
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proteolysis*

Substances

  • FERMT3 protein, human
  • Integrins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Calpain