PDZD11: a novel PLEKHA7 interactor at adherens junctions

PLEKHA7 is a recently identified protein of the AJ that has been involved by genetic and genomic studies in the regulation of miRNA signaling and cardiac contractility, hypertension and glaucoma. However, the molecular mechanisms behind PLEKHA7 involvement in tissue physiology and pathology remain unknown. In my thesis I report novel results which uncover PLEKHA7 functions in epithelial and endothelial cells, through the identification of a novel molecular interactor of PLEKHA7, PDZD11, by yeast two-hybrid screening, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays. I dissected the structural basis of their interaction, showing that the WW domain of PLEKHA7 binds to the N-terminal region of PDZD11; this interaction mediates the junctional recruitment of PDZD11, identifying PDZD11 as a novel AJ protein. I provided evidence that PDZD11 forms a complex with nectins at AJ, its PDZ domain binds to the PDZ-binding motif of nectins. PDZD11 stabilizes nectins promoting the early steps of junction assembly