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Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...

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...

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...

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

Anchoring Junctions

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:...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface

Published on: November 2, 2011

Adhesion dynamics: mechanisms and measurements.

Daniel C Worth¹, Maddy Parsons

¹Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Kings College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology

|May 20, 2008

Summary

Cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is vital for cell functions. This review overviews imaging strategies to study the dynamic protein turnover within focal adhesions, crucial for cell survival and migration.

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface

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Published on: November 2, 2011

Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques

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Published on: November 2, 2018

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Published on: September 27, 2021

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Biochemistry

Background:

Cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for cell survival, differentiation, and migration.
Focal adhesions are key structures mediating cell-ECM contact and are highly dynamic and spatially regulated.
Recent advances focus on understanding the dynamics of protein turnover within focal adhesions.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of imaging strategies for studying focal adhesion protein dynamics.
To discuss the intricacies and hierarchy of protein turnover within focal adhesions.
To highlight the caveats and future directions in imaging focal adhesion dynamics.

Main Methods:

Review of established and emerging imaging techniques.
Analysis of methodologies for visualizing protein dynamics in real-time.
Discussion of techniques applicable to subcellular spatial control.

Main Results:

Focal adhesions are complex, dynamic structures with tightly controlled protein composition.
Imaging strategies have evolved to reveal the intricate hierarchy of protein turnover.
Understanding these dynamics is critical for localized cellular responses to extracellular cues.

Conclusions:

Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for dissecting focal adhesion protein dynamics.
Further research is needed to refine imaging methods and explore future directions.
Studying focal adhesion dynamics provides insights into fundamental cell processes.