| Abstract
| - Here, we present a study of adhesion between cadherin fragments using giant unilamellar vesicles andsupported bilayers. These objects are partially made of nickel chelating lipids and are subsequently decoratedwith proteins bearing a 6His tag. Initially, we observed their fixation and correct orientation by using afluorescent protein, the green fluorescent protein (GFP)−6His. The adhesive behavior of E-cadherinfunctionalized giant vesicles and supported bilayers was studied as a function of the calcium concentrationand of the protein functionality by reflection interference microscopy. We show that such a system retainsspecific cadherin-mediated adhesion and could be used to study the statics and dynamics of adhesiveplaques as well as to gain insight into the fundamental mechanisms of cellular adhesion at the mesoscopicscale.
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