LI-Cadherin–mediated Cell–Cell Adhesion Does Not Require Cytoplasmic Interactions

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Abstract
The adhesive function of classical cadherins depends on the association with cytoplasmic proteins, termed catenins, which serve as a link between cadherins and the actin cytoskeleton. LI-cadherin, a structurally different member of the cadherin family, mediates Ca2+-dependent cell–cell adhesion, although its markedly short cytoplasmic domain exhibits no homology to this highly conserved region of classical cadherins. We now examined whether the adhesive function of LI-cadherin depends on the interaction with catenins, the actin cytoskeleton or other cytoplasmic components. In contrast to classical cadherins, LI-cadherin, when expressed in mouse L cells, was neither associated with catenins nor did it induce an upregulation of β-catenin. Consistent with these findings, LI-cadherin was not resistant to detergent extraction and did not induce a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. However, LI-cadherin was still able to mediate Ca2+dependent cell–cell adhesion.