Fibroblast cell shape and adhesion in vitro is altered by overexpression of the 7a and 7b isoforms of protocadherin 7, but not the 7c isoform.

Protocadherins (Pcdhs) are a family of cadherins considered to play an important role in the cell-cell adhesion of specific neurons in the central nervous system. Of the reported Pcdhs, relatively little is known about the functional role of protocadherin 7 (Pcdh7), and there is no evidence of Pcdh7 mediated cell-cell adhesion. To date, three splicing variants are known; they may have different effects on cell phenotype. We report here that mouse fibroblast L cells stably overexpressing the Pcdh7 isoforms 7a and 7b, but not 7c, showed a morphological change and Ca(2+)dependent cell adhesion.