Scientific Reports (Nov 2021)

Identification of a new regulation pathway of EGFR and E-cadherin dynamics

  • Veronique Proux-Gillardeaux,
  • Tamara Advedissian,
  • Charlotte Perin,
  • Jean-Christophe Gelly,
  • Mireille Viguier,
  • Frederique Deshayes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02042-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 27

Abstract

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Abstract E-cadherin and EGFR are known to be closely associated hence regulating differentiation and proliferation notably in epithelia. We have previously shown that galectin-7 binds to E-cadherin and favors its retention at the plasma membrane. In this study, we shed in light that galectin-7 establishes a physical link between E-cadherin and EGFR. Indeed, our results demonstrate that galectin-7 also binds to EGFR, but unlike the binding to E-cadherin this binding is sugar dependent. The establishment of E-cadherin/EGFR complex and the binding of galectin-7 to EGFR thus lead to a regulation of its signaling and intracellular trafficking allowing cell proliferation and migration control. In vivo observations further support these results since an epidermal thickening is observed in galectin-7 deficient mice. This study therefore reveals that galectin-7 controls epidermal homeostasis through the regulation of E-cadherin/EGFR balance.