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The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

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...

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...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 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

Published on: February 19, 2015

A secreted disulfide catalyst controls extracellular matrix composition and function.

Tal Ilani¹, Assaf Alon, Iris Grossman

¹Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. tal.ilani@weizmann.ac.il

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|May 25, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is crucial for incorporating laminin into the extracellular matrix (ECM). Without QSOX1, ECM is defective, impairing cell adhesion and migration.

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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

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Extracellular Matrix Biology

Background:

Disulfide bond formation in secretory proteins typically occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is an unusual disulfide catalyst found in the Golgi apparatus or secreted.
The extracellular functions of QSOX1 remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the physiological role of extracellular Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) in de novo disulfide bond formation.
To determine QSOX1's impact on extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and function.
To assess the effects of QSOX1 inhibition on cellular processes like adhesion and migration.

Main Methods:

Utilized biochemical assays to measure QSOX1 activity in extracellular environments.
Generated and employed a monoclonal antibody to inhibit QSOX1 function.
Analyzed the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesized by fibroblasts with and without QSOX1 activity.
Assessed cell-matrix adhesion and cell migration using functional assays.

Main Results:

QSOX1 activity was essential for the proper incorporation of laminin into the fibroblast-synthesized ECM.
ECM lacking QSOX1 activity exhibited defects in supporting cell-matrix adhesion.
Inhibition of QSOX1 using a monoclonal antibody altered ECM properties and reduced cell migration.

Conclusions:

Extracellular QSOX1 plays a critical role in ECM assembly and integrity.
QSOX1-mediated disulfide bond formation is vital for ECM-dependent cell adhesion and migration.
Targeting QSOX1 offers a potential strategy to modulate ECM properties and cellular behavior.