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Adherens Junctions

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...

Anchoring Junctions

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:...

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...

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...

Tight Junctions

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Microbead Implantation in the Zebrafish Embryo

Microbead Implantation in the Zebrafish Embryo

Published on: July 30, 2015

Adherens junction function and regulation during zebrafish gastrulation.

Antonino Schepis¹, W James Nelson

¹Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. antonino.schepis@kcl.ac.uk

Cell Adhesion & Migration

|May 10, 2012

Summary

Adherens junctions (AJs) are vital for cell adhesion and tissue health. Zebrafish studies reveal how AJ dynamics influence cell migration and membrane blebbing during development.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Adherens junctions (AJs) are crucial multi-protein complexes for cell-cell adhesion.
Dysregulation of AJs is linked to diseases like cancer.
Zebrafish offer a powerful model for studying cell biology in a multicellular context.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of adherens junctions in zebrafish development.
To understand the relationship between cell adhesion, migration, and membrane blebbing.
To leverage zebrafish genetics and live imaging for novel insights into AJ biology.

Main Methods:

Utilized classical genetic approaches in zebrafish.
Employed advanced live imaging techniques.
Applied biophysical methods to study AJ properties.

Main Results:

Revealed new aspects of adherens junction biology during zebrafish gastrulation.
Demonstrated the interplay between cell-cell adhesion and cell migration.
Showcased the connection between AJs and plasma membrane blebbing.

Conclusions:

Zebrafish are an excellent model for dissecting AJ function in vivo.
AJ dynamics are critical for coordinated cell movements and tissue formation.
Advances in imaging and biophysics enhance our understanding of cell adhesion mechanisms.