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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...

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...

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

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 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 Adhesion in Plants

Cell Adhesion in Plants

Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...

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Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

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Intercellular adhesion in morphogenesis: molecular and biophysical considerations.

Nicolas Borghi¹, W James Nelson

¹Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

|September 10, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cell adhesion, driven by cadherins, is crucial for tissue development and shape changes during morphogenesis. Understanding intercellular adhesion energy reveals how cells organize into tissues and organs.

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Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

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Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to morphogenesis, controlling tissue rearrangements and compartmentalization.
Cadherins are key proteins mediating Ca(2+)-dependent, homophilic cell adhesion in metazoans.
Cadherin activity influences the cytoskeleton, altering cell mechanical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the molecular mechanisms of intercellular adhesion energy.
To elucidate the role of intercellular adhesion energy in tissue morphogenesis.
To connect genetic programs to tissue-level material properties and shape transformations.

Main Methods:

Discusses molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion.
Reviews signaling pathways from cadherins to the cytoskeleton.
Analyzes the quantitative output of intercellular adhesion energy.

Main Results:

Cadherin-mediated adhesion remodels the cortical cytoskeleton, changing cell mechanics.
Programmed cues modulate cadherin expression and downstream signaling.
Intercellular adhesion energy quantifies adhesive properties, influencing cell and tissue organization.

Conclusions:

Intercellular adhesion energy is a critical determinant of cell and tissue shape and position.
Understanding cadherin-mediated adhesion is key to deciphering morphogenesis.
This work links molecular adhesion to macroscopic tissue development.