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Related Concept Videos

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins”   is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
08:15

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Published on: October 17, 2014

Adhesion molecules in the nervous system: structural insights into function and diversity.

Lawrence Shapiro1, James Love, David R Colman

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, 2Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032 USA. LSS8@columbia.edu

Annual Review of Neuroscience
|June 30, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Neural cell adhesion proteins require high specificity and diversity for complex connections. Nervous system-specific mechanisms, like alternative splicing, enable crucial functions in brain development and signaling.

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Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
08:15

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Measuring Transcellular Interactions through Protein Aggregation in a Heterologous Cell System
04:47

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Published on: May 22, 2020

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The nervous system's intricate intercellular connections necessitate highly specific and diverse cell adhesion proteins.
  • Understanding the molecular basis of these adhesive interactions is crucial for comprehending neural development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion in the nervous system.
  • To highlight the roles of specificity and diversity in neural adhesion molecules.
  • To explore nervous system-specific diversification strategies for adhesion proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on neural adhesion molecules.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying adhesive binding, specificity, and diversity.
  • Focus on well-characterized protein families like cadherins and immunoglobulin superfamily members.

Main Results:

  • Adhesion molecules, including cadherins and immunoglobulin superfamily members, are vital for neural connections.
  • Nervous system-specific diversification, particularly through alternative splicing, enhances the function of these proteins.
  • Precisely regulated alternative splicing allows for tailored adhesive properties essential in the complex neural environment.

Conclusions:

  • Alternative splicing is a key mechanism for generating diversity in neural adhesion proteins.
  • This diversity is critical for mediating the specific and complex intercellular connections in the nervous system.
  • Further research into these mechanisms will illuminate neural development and potential therapeutic targets.