How is the cytoskeleton linked to adherens junctions? Early biochemical studies exploring the structural link between the cytoskeleton and cadherins in adherens junctions (AJs) concluded that it comprised direct interactions in the following order; cadherin tails bind β-catenin, β-catenin binds the VH1 domain of [...]
What is cadherin? The cadherin glycoproteins includes over 100 members divided into 6 subfamilies; type I classical cadherins , type II atypical cadherins, desmosomal cadherins, flamingo cadherins, proto-cadherins and several ungrouped members. Cadherins can be identified through common motifs in their extracellular domains termed [...]
What is integrin? Introduction to integrin and its structure Integrins are proteins that function mechanically, by attaching the cell cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix (ECM), and biochemically, by sensing whether adhesion has occurred. The integrin family of proteins consists of alpha and beta subtypes, [...]
What are some alternative mechanisms in the regulation of adherens junctions? Alternative mechanisms also exist to regulate AJ formation and function. For example, the membrane trafficking system plays a significant role by facilitating the transport of E-cadherin–β-catenin complexes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where [...]
What is the ‘Fork Initiation and Zipper’ model? The ‘Fork Initiation and Zipper’ Model Nectin-nectin cis interactions enable the formation of nectin-nectin trans interactions on apposing cells. These interactions, being uncooperative and short-lived in nature, are suited to the exploratory cell behavior initiated between [...]
What is the role of cadherin and nectin recruitment in adherens junction assembly? Cadherin Recruitment Type I cadherins, also known as classical cadherins, are commonly found in adherens junctions (AJs) and desmosomes. They are produced as a precursor polypeptide that is non-adhesive. This pro-form [...]
What is the role of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of cell-cell adhesions? Given the function and stability of clustered cell-cell adhesions is tightly coupled to the formation and function of the actin cytoskeleton, it is not surprising that many of the components that [...]
What are cell-matrix adhesions? The extracellular matrix and the basal lamina Cell-matrix adhesion is the interaction of a cell with the extracellular matrix, mediated by multi-protein adhesion structures such as focal adhesions, fibrillar adhesions and podosomes. The ECM is a network of extracellular molecules [...]
What are cell-matrix receptors? Interaction between cell-matrix receptors and their respective ligands are often the initial step in the formation of a cell-matrix adhesion. Several types of cell-matrix receptors have been identified, each interacting with a specific type of ligand. Attachment of these various [...]
What is parvin? The parvins are a family of actin binding proteins (known as α-, β- and γ-parvin in mammals) that are members of the actin linking functional module at cell-matrix adhesion sites (reviewed in [1]). Parvin is a small protein (42 kDa) that [...]
What is talin? Talin contains a 47-kDa N-terminal head, a neck and a 220kDa rod domain. The head domain comprises four subdomains termed F0, F1, F2 and F3, with the latter three forming a three-lobed FERM domain. Integrin tail binding occurs via the F3 [...]
What is tensin? Tensin is a cytoskeleton scaffolding protein that was named for its ability to form a bridge that maintains tension between the actin filaments and cell-matrix adhesion sites (reviewed in [1]). A recent review of the molecular physiology of tensins, however, reveals [...]
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