The 1-integrin cytoplasmic domain consists of a membrane proximal subdomain common to the four known isoforms ("common" region) and a distal subdomain specific for each isoform ("variable" region). To investigate in detail the role of these subdomains in integrin-dependent cellular functions, we used 1A and 1B isoforms as well as four mutants lacking the entire cytoplasmic domain (1TR), the variable region (1COM), or the common region (1⌬COM-B and 1⌬COM-A). By expressing these constructs in Chinese hamster ovary and 1 integrin-deficient GD25 cells (Wennerberg et al., J Cell Biol 132, 227-238, 1996), we show that 1B, 1COM, 1⌬COM-B, and 1⌬COM-A molecules are unable to support efficient cell adhesion to matrix proteins. On exposure to Mn ϩϩ ions, however, 1B, but none of the mutants, can mediate cell adhesion, indicating specific functional properties of this isoform. Analysis of adhesive functions of transfected cells shows that 1B interferes in a dominant negative manner with 1A and 3/5 integrins in cell spreading, focal adhesion formation, focal adhesion kinase tyrosine phosphorylation, and fibronectin matrix assembly. None of the 1 mutants tested shows this property, indicating that the dominant negative effect depends on the specific combination of common and B subdomains, rather than from the absence of the A subdomain in the 1B isoform.
INTRODUCTIONIntegrins are ␣/ heterodimeric transmembrane cell surface receptors that mediate cell adhesion and migration and also the bidirectional transfer of information across the plasma membrane. These properties are essential in regulating several biological processes, including morphogenesis, immune response, cell growth, differentiation, and survival (Hynes, 1992;Ruoslahti and Reed, 1994).The cytoplasmic domains of integrin subunits are required for these functions (Hibbs et al., 1991;Yamada and Miyamoto, 1995;Dedhar and Hannigan, 1996). In vitro, the isolated 1 cytoplasmic domain was shown to bind talin, ␣-actinin, and paxillin, three cytoskeletal proteins that mediate the anchorage of actin filaments to the plasma membrane (Chen et al., 1995;Otey et al., 1993;Schaller et al., 1995). Binding of the 1 cytoplasmic sequence to focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase specifically localized to focal adhesions, and to the serine/threonine kinase integrin-linked kinase has also been reported Hannigan et al., 1996). In vivo, the 1 cytoplasmic domain is sufficient for its localization to preformed focal adhesions (LaFlamme et al., 1992, Akiyama et al., 1994 and for the initiation of signaling to FAK (Lukashev et al., 1994). A model has been proposed in which the 1 subunit cytoplasmic domain ‡ Corresponding author.© 1998 by The American Society for Cell Biology 715contains a default signal for interaction with cytoskeletal molecules that is masked by the ␣ subunit cytoplasmic domain (Briesewitz et al., 1993;Ylanne et al., 1993). In response to matrix ligands or to multivalent antibody binding, the inhibitory effect of the ␣ subunit can be release...