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Related Concept Videos

Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are  essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
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...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
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Measuring Interactions of Globular and Filamentous Proteins by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Microscale Thermophoresis (MST)
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Structure and function of desmosomes.

Bastian Holthöfer1, Reinhard Windoffer, Sergey Troyanovsky

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany.

International Review of Cytology
|October 30, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Desmosomes are crucial cell adhesion structures providing mechanical stability in tissues. Their dynamic assembly is vital for tissue homeostasis, and disruptions impact tissue function and health.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Desmosomes are key cell-cell adhesion complexes.
  • They link to intermediate filaments, ensuring tissue mechanical stability.
  • Desmosomes exhibit unique ultrastructure and molecular composition with tissue-specific variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of desmosome dynamic assembly.
  • To underscore the role of desmosomes in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
  • To discuss the consequences of desmosome dysfunction in disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of desmosome structure and function.
  • Analysis of experimental data on desmosome dynamics.
  • Review of disease-associated desmosome alterations.

Main Results:

  • Desmosome assembly is a dynamic process essential for tissue integrity.
  • Variations in desmosome composition exist across different cell types.
  • Impaired desmosome function leads to compromised mechanical resilience and altered tissue functions.

Conclusions:

  • Desmosome assembly dynamics are critical for tissue homeostasis.
  • Disruptions in desmosome equilibrium have broad implications for tissue health.
  • Understanding desmosomes is vital for studying various diseases.