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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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Published on: October 17, 2014

Hyper-adhesion: a new concept in cell-cell adhesion.

David Garrod¹, Tomomi E Kimura

¹Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Simon Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. david.garrod@manchester.ac.uk

Biochemical Society Transactions

|March 28, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

We introduce "hyper-adhesion," the strong cell-cell adhesion of desmosomes, crucial for tissue integrity. This unique property can be weakened by cell signaling, impacting disease and wound healing.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Desmosomes are critical cell-cell adhesion structures providing mechanical strength to tissues.
Disruption of desmosome-intermediate filament complexes is linked to severe diseases.
The unique strength of desmosomal adhesion, termed 'hyper-adhesion,' is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To define and review the concept of 'hyper-adhesion' in desmosomes.
To explore the molecular basis and regulation of desmosomal hyper-adhesion.
To discuss the implications of hyper-adhesion for tissue integrity and disease.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on desmosome structure and function.
Analysis of cell signaling pathways affecting desmosomal adhesion.
Comparative study of desmosomal adhesion states in different physiological conditions.

Main Results:

Hyper-adhesion is a unique desmosomal characteristic enabling strong intercellular links.
This strength is proposed to arise from an ordered arrangement of extracellular desmosomal cadherins.
Cell signaling, involving protein kinase C, can down-regulate hyper-adhesion, leading to weaker adhesion.

Conclusions:

Hyper-adhesion is essential for maintaining tissue integrity via robust desmosomal connections.
Ordered molecular structures within desmosomes likely underpin hyper-adhesion.
Modulation of hyper-adhesion by cell signaling plays a role in processes like wound healing and may be implicated in disease pathogenesis.