JAM4, a junctional cell adhesion molecule interacting with a tight junction protein, MAGI-1

S Hirabayashi, M Tajima, I Yao… - … and Cellular Biology, 2003 - Taylor & Francis
S Hirabayashi, M Tajima, I Yao, W Nishimura, H Mori, Y Hata
Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2003Taylor & Francis
MAGI-1 is a membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein at tight junctions in epithelial
cells. It interacts with various molecules and functions as a scaffold protein at cell junctions.
We report here a novel MAGI-1-binding protein that we named junctional adhesion molecule
4 (JAM4). JAM4 belongs to an immunoglobulin protein family. JAM4 was colocalized with
ZO-1 in kidney glomeruli and in intestinal epithelial cells. Biochemical in vitro studies
revealed that JAM4 bound to MAGI-1 but not to ZO-1, whereas JAM1 did not bind to MAGI-1 …
MAGI-1 is a membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein at tight junctions in epithelial cells. It interacts with various molecules and functions as a scaffold protein at cell junctions. We report here a novel MAGI-1-binding protein that we named junctional adhesion molecule 4 (JAM4). JAM4 belongs to an immunoglobulin protein family. JAM4 was colocalized with ZO-1 in kidney glomeruli and in intestinal epithelial cells. Biochemical in vitro studies revealed that JAM4 bound to MAGI-1 but not to ZO-1, whereas JAM1 did not bind to MAGI-1. JAM4 and MAGI-1 interacted with each other and formed clusters in COS-7 cells when coexpressed. JAM4 mediated calcium-independent homophilic adhesion and was accumulated at cell-cell contacts when expressed in L cells. MAGI-1, ZO-1, and occludin were recruited to JAM4-based cell contacts. JAM4 also reduced the permeability of CHO cell monolayers. MAGI-1 strengthened JAM4-mediated cell adhesion in L cells and sealing effects in CHO cells. These findings suggest that JAM4 together with MAGI-1 provides an adhesion machinery at tight junctions, which may regulate the permeability of kidney glomerulus and small intestinal epithelial cells.
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