Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 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

Adhesion proteins meet receptors: a common theme?

Véronique Orian-Rousseau1, Helmut Ponta

  • 1Institute for Toxicology and Genetics, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Advances in Cancer Research
|December 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) work together, not independently. CAMs regulate RTK activation, signaling, and internalization, influencing cell fate.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are cell surface proteins crucial for sensing the environment and directing cell fate.
  • Historically, RTKs were thought to function independently upon ligand binding.
  • Emerging evidence highlights a critical interplay between RTKs and CAMs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the intricate relationship between RTKs and CAMs.
  • To understand how CAMs modulate RTK activity, signaling pathways, and cellular localization.
  • To explore the functional interchangeability and regulatory mechanisms of CAMs in RTK signaling.

Main Methods:

  • The study integrates existing literature and experimental findings.
  • Analysis of molecular interactions between specific RTKs and CAMs (e.g., CD44 isoforms).
  • Investigation of signalosome complex formation and downstream signaling events.

Main Results:

  • CAMs actively influence RTK activation, signaling, and internalization processes.
  • Certain CAMs, like CD44 isoforms, demonstrate functional flexibility and can be substituted by others with similar roles.
  • CAMs can present ligands to RTKs and organize signalosomes, thereby regulating downstream signaling cascades.
  • Cellular environment and ligand binding significantly impact CAM function.

Conclusions:

  • RTKs and CAMs function in a coordinated manner, challenging the notion of independent operation.
  • CAMs play a pivotal role in controlling RTK signaling dynamics and cellular responses.
  • The interaction network between CAMs and RTKs offers potential therapeutic targets for diseases involving aberrant cell signaling.

More Related Videos

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes09:14

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 13, 2014

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer10:34

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer

Published on: April 23, 2017

Related Concept Videos

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...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

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 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...
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:...
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...