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Structure of Cadherins

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

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...

Catenins

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...

Desmosomes

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Fat and Dachsous cadherins.

Praveer Sharma¹, Helen McNeill

¹Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science

|March 14, 2013

Summary

Fat and Dachsous proteins are crucial for cell adhesion, influencing planar cell polarity and growth control. These large molecules play conserved roles in development across species like Drosophila and mice.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Genetics

Background:

Fat and Dachsous (Ds) are large cell adhesion molecules.
They are essential for planar cell polarity (PCP) and growth control.
PCP involves directional development of cellular structures and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the roles of Fat and Ds family members.
Focus on their functions in Drosophila and mouse development.
Highlight their roles as upstream regulators of PCP and Hippo pathway.

Main Methods:

Literature review of Fat and Ds family members.
Analysis of conserved roles in Drosophila and mouse models.
Examination of their involvement in planar cell polarity and growth control pathways.

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Main Results:

Fat and Ds proteins bind each other, mediating key developmental processes.
They are highly conserved, indicating fundamental biological importance.
Dysregulation can impact tissue growth and cellular organization.

Conclusions:

Fat and Ds proteins are critical regulators of cell adhesion, PCP, and growth.
Understanding their functions provides insights into developmental biology.
Further research in Drosophila and mouse models will elucidate their complex roles.