Cell to cell adhesion systems in Xenopus laevis, the South African clawed toad II: Monoclonal antibody against a novel Ca2+-dependent cell—cell adhesion glycoprotein on amphibian cells

Abstract

We isolated a mouse monoclonal antibody that disrupts Ca²⁺-dependent cell—cell adhesion of amphibian (Xenopus laevis) cells. When added to culture medium, the monoclonal antibody completely disrupted cell—cell adhesion of amphibian cells in monolayer culture and specifically inhibited Ca²⁺-dependent cell—cell adhesion of dissociated cells in reaggregation experiments. The monoclonal antibody recognized a 140 kDa cell surface glycoprotein antigenically different from the previously reported Ca²⁺-dependent cell—cell adhesion molecules (cadherins).