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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...
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...
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
09:14

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

Published on: June 13, 2014

Synaptic cell adhesion.

Markus Missler1, Thomas C Südhof, Thomas Biederer

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Münster, Germany.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|January 27, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules organize chemical synapses, mediating crucial recognition and signaling for brain function. Disruptions in these molecules, like neurexins and neuroligins, are linked to neurological disorders.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
09:14

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 Bilayer
10:34

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer

Published on: April 23, 2017

Measuring Transcellular Interactions through Protein Aggregation in a Heterologous Cell System
04:47

Measuring Transcellular Interactions through Protein Aggregation in a Heterologous Cell System

Published on: May 22, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Chemical synapses are fundamental for neuronal communication.
  • Trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) bridge the synaptic cleft, organizing synaptic structure and function.
  • These CAMs are vital for synapse establishment, specification, and plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of various synaptic cell adhesion molecules in organizing synaptic junctions.
  • To highlight the significance of these molecules in brain function and neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on synaptic CAMs.
  • Analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of identified synaptic CAMs.
  • Examination of recent findings linking synaptic CAMs to neuropsychiatric conditions.

Main Results:

  • Numerous synaptic CAMs identified, including neurexins, neuroligins, SynCAMs, receptor tyrosine kinases/phosphatases, and leucine-rich repeat proteins.
  • These CAMs utilize distinct extracellular domains to orchestrate synaptic organization.
  • Emerging evidence implicates specific CAMs, particularly neurexins and neuroligins, in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic cell adhesion molecules are critical organizers of synaptic architecture and function.
  • Understanding their roles provides insights into synaptic plasticity and brain development.
  • Dysregulation of synaptic CAMs represents a potential mechanism underlying complex neurological and psychiatric diseases.