This work was supported by an NSF/ARRA award (IOS 0920357) and an award from the NIH (5R21MH098463).

1. Cell Preparation (Day -2 to 0)
<ol>
	<li>Split HEK293 cells 1:5 using 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA solution and incubate in Growth Media at 37 &#176;C with 5% CO2 until 60 - 80% confluent (2 - 3 days). For each condition, culture cells in 2 x 100 mm dishes.</li>
</ol>
2. Cell Transfection (Day 1)
<ol>
	<li>Transfect HEK293 cells with plasmid encoding Fc-fusion using a transfection reagent such as Lipofectamine. Alternative methods that result in comparable transfection efficiencies may als...

<ol>
	<li>Chen, X., Gumbiner, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Paraxial+protocadherin+mediates+cell+sorting+and+tissue+morphogenesis+by+regulating+C-cadherin+adhesion+activity.">Paraxial protocadherin mediates cell sorting and tissue morphogenesis by regulating C-cadherin adhesion activity.</a> J. Cell Biol. 174 (2), 301-313 (2006).</li><li>Grumet, M., Friedlander, D. R., Edelman, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+the+binding+of+Ng-CAM+to+laminin.">Evidence for the binding of Ng-CAM to laminin.</a> Cell Adhes. Commun. 1 (2), 177-190 (1993).</li><li>Hatta, K., Nose, A., Nagafuchi, A., Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+and+expression+of+cDNA+encoding+a+neural+calcium-dependent+cell+adhesion+molecule:+its+identity+in+the+cadherin+gene+family.">Cloning and expression of cDNA encoding a neural calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule: its identity in the cadherin gene family.</a> J. Cell Biol. 106 (3), 873-881 (1988).</li><li>Hirano, S., Nose, A., Hatta, K., Kawakami, A., Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium-dependent+cell-cell+adhesion+molecules+(cadherins):+subclass+specificities+and+possible+involvement+of+actin+bundles.">Calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules (cadherins): subclass specificities and possible involvement of actin bundles.</a> J. 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Cell Biol. 75, 464-474 (1977).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Brieher, W., Lavrik, N., Gumbiner, B., Leckband, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+molecular+force+measurements+of+multiple+adhesive+interactions+between+cadherin+ectodomains.">Direct molecular force measurements of multiple adhesive interactions between cadherin ectodomains.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96 (21), 11820-11824 (1999).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Gumbiner, B., Leckband, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+measurements+of+multiple+adhesive+alignments+and+unbinding+trajectories+between+cadherin+extracellular+domains.">Direct measurements of multiple adhesive alignments and unbinding trajectories between cadherin extracellular domains.</a> Biophys. J. 80, 1758-1768 (2001).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Zhang, Y., Nelson, W. J., Chu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterizing+the+initial+encounter+complex+in+cadherin+adhesion.">Characterizing the initial encounter complex in cadherin adhesion.</a> Structure. 17 (8), 1075-1081 (2009).</li><li>Zhang, Y., Sivasankar, S., Nelson, W. J., Chu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resolving+cadherin+interactions+and+binding+cooperativity+at+the+single-molecule+level.">Resolving cadherin interactions and binding cooperativity at the single-molecule level.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 106 (1), 109-114 (2009).</li><li>Yasuda, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-induced+protocadherin+arcadlin+regulates+dendritic+spine+number+by+triggering+N-cadherin+endocytosis+via+TAO2beta+and+p38+MAP+kinases.">Activity-induced protocadherin arcadlin regulates dendritic spine number by triggering N-cadherin endocytosis via TAO2beta and p38 MAP kinases.</a> Neuron. 56 (3), 456-471 (2007).</li><li>Chappuis-Flament, S., Wong, E., Hicks, L. D., Kay, C. M., Gumbiner, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+cadherin+extracellular+repeats+mediate+homophilic+binding+and+adhesion.">Multiple cadherin extracellular repeats mediate homophilic binding and adhesion.</a> J. Cell Biol. 154 (1), 231-243 (2001).</li><li>Emond, M. R., Biswas, S., Blevins, C. J., Jontes, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+complex+of+Protocadherin-19+and+N-cadherin+mediates+a+novel+mechanism+of+cell+adhesion.">A complex of Protocadherin-19 and N-cadherin mediates a novel mechanism of cell adhesion.</a> J. Cell Biol. 195 (7), 1115-1121 (2011).</li><li>Biswas, S., Emond, M. R., Jontes, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+clustered+protocadherins+Pcdhalpha+and+Pcdhgamma+form+a+heteromeric+complex+in+zebrafish.">The clustered protocadherins Pcdhalpha and Pcdhgamma form a heteromeric complex in zebrafish.</a> Neuroscience. 219, 280-289 (2012).</li><li>Blevins, C. J., Emond, M. R., Biswas, S., Jontes, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression,+alternative+splicing,+and+adhesive+properties+of+the+zebrafish+delta1-protocadherins.">Differential expression, alternative splicing, and adhesive properties of the zebrafish delta1-protocadherins.</a> Neuroscience. 199, 523-534 (2011).</li><li>Morishita, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+of+the+cadherin-related+neuronal+receptor/protocadherin-alpha+first+extracellular+cadherin+domain+reveals+diversity+across+cadherin+families.">Structure of the cadherin-related neuronal receptor/protocadherin-alpha first extracellular cadherin domain reveals diversity across cadherin families.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281, 33650-33663 (1074).</li><li>Wojtowicz, W. M., Flanagan, J. J., Millard, S. S., Zipursky, S. L., Clemens, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alternative+splicing+of+Drosophila+Dscam+generates+axon+guidance+receptors+that+exhibit+isoform-specific+homophilic+binding.">Alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam generates axon guidance receptors that exhibit isoform-specific homophilic binding.</a> Cell. 118 (5), 619-633 (2004).</li><li>Drees, F., Reilein, A., Nelson, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell-adhesion+assays:+fabrication+of+an+E-cadherin+substratum+and+isolation+of+lateral+and+Basal+membrane+patches.">Cell-adhesion assays: fabrication of an E-cadherin substratum and isolation of lateral and Basal membrane patches.</a> Methods Mol. Biol. 294, 303-320 (2005).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Cell adhesion is an essential feature of multicellular life and is mediated by a broad array of cell surface proteins. Of these, the detailed adhesive properties are understood for only a relatively small proportion. Here, we have described a simple, rapid protocol for investigating the homophilic adhesive capacity of secreted ectodomains fused to a convenient epitope tag. This approach has a number of important advantages. First, stable cell lines are not required14,20, as sufficient quantities of protein can...

Cell-cell adhesion is essential for the development and integrity of multicellular organisms and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface molecules. Many of these adhesion molecules have been identified and characterized, though many remain to be discovered. Several methods are used to investigate the properties of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), including cell sorting assays, cell aggregation assays1-8 and biophysical methods, such as atomic force microscopy and surface force spectroscopy9-12.
The complexity of even simplified in vitro systems using cell lines makes it difficult to determine the adhesive properties of a putative CAM. Typically, a molecule is considered a CAM if it induces cell aggregation when transfected into a non-adhesive cell line. However, it is clear that this is not direct evidence of adhesive activity. For instance, facilitating the cell surface delivery or stability of a CAM would also result in increased cell aggregation1,13. Moreover, a true CAM may fail to mediate cell aggregation if the cell line lacks other co-factors required for cell surface delivery or stabilization.
To avoid these complicating factors, more direct assays can be employed that are based on the idea that adhesive interactions should be an intrinsic biochemical property of the extracellular domain. While beads were initially used to characterize Ng-CAM2, these assays have been extended in order to investigate cadherin-mediated adhesion12,14,15. Using fusion of the C-cadherin ectodomain-Fc fusions, the Gumbiner lab showed that multiple cadherin repeats contribute to homophilic interactions14. Using comparable bead aggregation assays, E-cadherin and N-cadherin adhesion have also been characterized12,15, as have a number of protocadherins1,15-18 and Dscam isoforms from Drosophila19. Here we describe a relatively simple and rapid assay for characterizing the adhesive activity of secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomains of putative homophilic CAMs (Figure 1). We have used this assay primarily to characterize members of the cadherin superfamily.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="630">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:212px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">pFc-N1 plasmid</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">To be submitted</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Addgene</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:212px;">HEK293 cells</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">CRL-1573</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">American Type Culture Collection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">DMEM</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">10-013-CV</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Mediatech - Corning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">F2442</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Sigma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:212px;">100X Pen-Strep (10,000 U/ml)</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">15140-122</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Life Technologies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">0.05% Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">25300054</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Life Technologies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">Lipofectamine 2000</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">11668030</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Life Technologies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">Dynabeads &#8211; Protein G</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">10003D</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Life Technologies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:212px;">Bovine Serum Albumin</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">A3294</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Sigma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:212px;">Depression slides</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">71878-06</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="43" rowspan="2" style="height:43px;width:212px;">Amicon Ultra-15 Centrifugal Filter Unit with Ultracel-10 membrane</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:203px;">UFC901024</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:216px;">Millipore</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;">0.45mm syringe filter</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">83.1826</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Sarstedt</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;">Dynamag-2 Magnet</td>
			<td>12321D</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Life Technologies</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:212px;">Fiji (ImageJ) Image Analysis Software</td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;">http://fiji.sc/Fiji</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;"></td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;"></td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;"></td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;"></td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;">Table of Buffers/Solutions</td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:212px;"></td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td style="width:216px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:212px;">Growth Media</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">DMEM + 10% FBS + Pen-Strep</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Filter sterilize and store at 4&#176;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:212px;">Growth Media &#8211; FBS</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">DMEM + Pen-Strep</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Filter sterilize and store at 4&#176;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:212px;">Binding Buffer</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM KCl, 0.2% BSA</td>
			<td style="width:216px;">Vortex until dissolved, keep on ice.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

bead aggregation assays for the characterization of putative cell adhesion molecules

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to multicellular life and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface proteins. However, the adhesive interactions for many of these proteins are poorly understood. Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the adhesive properties of putative homophilic cell adhesion molecules. Cultured HEK293 cells are transfected with DNA plasmid encoding a secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell surface protein. Using functionalized beads specific for the epitope tag, the soluble, secreted fusion protein is captured from the culture medium. The coated beads can then be used directly in bead aggregation assays or in fluorescent bead sorting assays to test for homophilic adhesion. If desired, mutagenesis can then be used to elucidate the specific amino acids or domains required for adhesion. This assay requires only small amounts of expressed protein, does not require the production of stable cell lines, and can be accomplished in 4 days.

An example experiment is presented in Figure 2, which shows calcium-dependent bead aggregation by the ectodomain of N-cadherin fused to Fc (NcadEC-Fc). In the absence of calcium, beads exhibit little or no tendency to aggregate and there is no increase in aggregate size with time (Figure 1A,C). In the presence of calcium, beads coated with NcadEC-Fc show robust aggregation, with aggregate size increasing over time (Figure 1B,C). This experiment was repeated three times, ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules at JoVE.com

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the intrinsic adhesive properties of putative cell adhesion molecules. The secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell adhesion molecule is captured from the culture medium on small, uniform functionalized beads. These beads can then be used immediately in simple bead aggregation assays.

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to multicellular life and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface proteins. However, the adhesive interactions ...

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10.4K Views.  Ohio State University. Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the intrinsic adhesive properties of putative cell adhesion molecules. The secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell adhesion molecule is captured from the culture medium on small, uniform functionalized beads. These beads can then be used immediately in simple bead aggregation assays.