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Cadherins in Tissue Organization

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...

Structure of Cadherins

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...

Adherens Junctions

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...

Catenins

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion.

M Takeichi¹, S Nakagawa

¹Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Current Protocols in Cell Biology

|January 30, 2008

Summary

This study details methods to analyze cell adhesion, distinguishing calcium-dependent cell adhesion (CDS) from calcium-independent cell adhesion (CIDS). Protocols are provided for cadherin-mediated cell adhesion assays, crucial for understanding cell-cell interactions.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Cell adhesion is vital for tissue formation and function.
Distinguishing calcium-dependent cell adhesion (CDS) from calcium-independent cell adhesion (CIDS) is critical.
Cadherins are key molecules mediating CDS, with unique protective properties in the presence of calcium (Ca2+).

Purpose of the Study:

To provide standardized protocols for assessing cadherin-dependent cell adhesion.
To enable differentiation between calcium-dependent and independent cell adhesion mechanisms.
To facilitate the study of cadherin function and associated proteins.

Main Methods:

Differential cell treatment with trypsin to distinguish adhesion types.
Short-term and long-term cell aggregation assays.

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Mixed aggregate assays to assess functions of different cadherins.

Fluorescence antibody-based assays for cadherin and catenin identification.

Cell transformation assays to study cadherin loss-of-function.

Main Results:

Established protocols effectively differentiate CDS from CIDS.
Demonstrated cadherins' resistance to trypsin in Ca2+-containing environments.
Enabled functional assessment of various cadherins using mixed aggregate assays.
Provided methods for identifying specific cadherins and catenins.
Developed assays for studying adhesion in cells with impaired cadherin activity.

Conclusions:

The provided protocols offer a robust framework for studying cadherin-mediated cell adhesion.
These methods are essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cell-cell interactions.
The study facilitates research into cadherinopathies and related cellular dysfunctions.