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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

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...
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
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...

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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study
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Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

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Cell adhesion molecules in the central nervous system.

Hideru Togashi1, Toshiaki Sakisaka, Yoshimi Takai

  • 1Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan.

Cell Adhesion & Migration
|April 18, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cell adhesion molecules are vital for neural network formation, influencing axon guidance and synapse development. This review details their roles at neuronal and glia junctions, crucial for brain function.

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study
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Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cell-cell adhesion molecules are crucial for intercellular junctions in various cell types.
  • They play significant roles in neural network formation, including axon guidance and synapse development.
  • While sharing similarities with epithelial cells, neuronal junctions require specific molecular machinery for synaptic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the distribution and function of cell adhesion molecules at synapses.
  • To examine the role of these molecules at neuron-astrocyte contacts.
  • To highlight the neuron-specific aspects of junctional machineries.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of functional studies on cell adhesion molecules in neural development.
  • Analysis of cell biological aspects of junctional complex assembly in neurons and glial cells.
  • Examination of molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Cell adhesion molecules are implicated in axon guidance, synapse formation, and synaptic structure regulation.
  • Specific junctional machineries are essential for neuronal functions like synaptic transmission and plasticity.
  • These molecules are distributed at both synapses and neuron-astrocyte contacts.

Conclusions:

  • Cell adhesion molecules are fundamental to the formation and function of neural networks.
  • Understanding these molecules is key to deciphering neural communication and plasticity.
  • Further research into neuron-specific adhesion mechanisms will illuminate brain function.