Integrin, the cell surface receptor for fibronectin and laminin, expresses the L2/HNK-1 and L3 carbohydrate structures shared by adhesion molecules

Abstract

On the basis of recent evidence that the carbohydrate structures designated L2/HNK-1 and L3 are shared by several neural adhesion molecules including L1, N-CAM, the myelin-associated glycoprotein and J1, we have suggested that other members of the L2/HNK-1 and L3 families are adhesion molecules. Here we show by Western blot analysis that integrin, the cell surface receptor for the extracellular matrix constituents fibronectin and laminin in chicken, also expresses the L2/HNK-1 and L3 epitopes and thus is another family member proven to be involved in adhesion.