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The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.Composition of the Extracellular MatrixThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse molecules.

Extracellular Matrix

Extracellular Matrix

Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...

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...

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...

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult body.
A...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

Published on: January 4, 2017

The evolution of extracellular matrix.

Suat Ozbek¹, Prakash G Balasubramanian, Ruth Chiquet-Ehrismann

¹Department of Molecular Evolution and Genomics, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Molecular Biology of the Cell

|December 17, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in animals originated with a core set of conserved proteins. Later evolution, especially in chordates, greatly expanded ECM complexity through gene innovations and domain shuffling.

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Enrichment of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Tissues and Digestion into Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Enrichment of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Tissues and Digestion into Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

Published on: January 4, 2017

Enrichment of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Tissues and Digestion into Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Enrichment of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Tissues and Digestion into Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2015

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex biological system crucial for tissue structure and function.
The ECM, or

Purpose of the Study:

To trace the molecular evolution of the metazoan extracellular matrix (ECM) and its associated

Main Methods:

Analysis of published research, genomic data, and expressed sequence tag libraries.
Comparative genomics to identify conserved and novel ECM components across metazoan lineages.
Phylogenetic analysis to infer the evolutionary history of ECM proteins and domains.

Main Results:

A core ECM adhesome shows high conservation, originating with the earliest metazoa.
Certain ECM components and domains predate metazoa, with some identified in choanoflagellates.
Significant elaboration and diversification of the ECM occurred within the chordate lineage, involving domain shuffling and gene expansions.

Conclusions:

The metazoan ECM evolved through a major innovation event coinciding with the origin of animals.
Subsequent evolution, particularly in vertebrates, led to increased ECM complexity and functional diversity.
Understanding ECM evolution informs its roles in development, disease, and applications like tissue engineering.