Cell Adhesion Peptides

Definition
Cell adhesion peptides are peptides that promote adhesion of normal and tumor cells and are derived from extracellular matrix glycoproteins such as laminin, fibronectin and collagen1.

Discovery
Synthetic cell adhesion peptides were first derived from laminin. The peptide PA22-2 (CSRARKQAASIKVAVSADR-NH2) derived from laminin was found to function as a cell adhesion molecule which was tested with mouse mast cells1.

Classification
Cell adhesion peptides for the most part are extracellular matrix proteins1.

Structural Characteristics
Numerous cell adhesion peptides have been synthesized to date. Some examples include: RU-1 (LNIVSVNGRHX), RX-1 (DNRIRLQAKXX), GD-1 (KATPMLKMRTSFHGCIK), GD-2 (KEGYKVRLDLNITLEFRTTSK), GD-3 (KNLEISRSTFDLLRNSYGVRK), GD-6 (KQNCLSSRASFRGCVRNLRLSR), HGD-6 (KQKCLRSQTSFRGCLRKLALIK), SGD-6 (CRNRGRCNSSLFQVRSRKLLSA), HSGD-6 (KQCLKSQRSFTRGLCRLKAKIL), AG-1 (KLLISRARKQÁASIK), F17 (LERKYENDQKYLEDKA) and KRGD (VEKRGDREEA). Peptides that are linear and cyclic in nature have been synthesized2.

Mode of action
Cell adhesion peptides can bind to the cell membrane and trigger adhesion of cells3.

Functions
Cell adhesion peptides have known to increase signaling via receptors3. They have been shown to decrease tumor metastasis and growth in experimental animals3. These peptides also induce Ca2+ signaling and modulate platelet activity3.

References
1.Thompson HL, Burbelo PD,Yamada Y,Kleinman HK and Metcalfe DD (1991). Identification of an amino acid sequence in the laminin A chain mediating mast cell attachment and spreading, Immunology, 72, 144-149.
2.Gehlsen KR, Sriramarao P, Furcht LT and Skubitzt APN (1992). A Synthetic Peptide Derived from the Carboxy Terminus of the Laminin A Chain Represents a Binding Site for the a3ß1 Integrin, J Cell Biology,117 (2), 449-459.
3.Book: Proteins analysis and design, Angeletti RH, 222-226.