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Homophilic adhesion by cadherins.
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mount Sinai School ofMedicine, 1 Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|May 14, 1999
Summary
Cadherins, proteins crucial for cell adhesion, are understood through new structural and mutagenesis data. This research revises original concepts of cadherin interactions, incorporating in vivo findings.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cadherins are key mediators of cell-cell adhesion via homophilic interactions.
- Recent high-resolution structural data have significantly advanced understanding of cadherin function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To revise existing concepts of cadherin interactions based on new data.
- To integrate insights from structural biology, mutagenesis, and in vivo studies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-resolution cadherin structures.
- Review of mutagenesis data.
- Inclusion of in vivo experimental findings.
Main Results:
- New structural and mutagenesis data necessitate revisions to original cadherin interaction models.
- In vivo studies provide complementary information, refining the understanding of cadherin function.
Conclusions:
- The established understanding of cadherin-mediated cell adhesion requires updates.
- A comprehensive view integrating structural, mutagenesis, and in vivo data is crucial for accurate cadherin interaction models.