Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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:...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

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...

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Morphological control of gut lumen access shapes enteroendoceine cell function.

The Journal of cell biology·2026

Same author

TS3 Asn347 corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) glycoform deficiency is associated with mortality in human septic shock.

Journal of the Endocrine Society·2026

Same author

Deciphering mechanical determinants of morphological evolution.

Cell·2026

Same author

Epithelial cell plasticity in metazoans: Evolutionary insights into roles and mechanisms.

Seminars in cell & developmental biology·2026

Same author

Proteomic analysis of FACS-enriched whole nematocysts from the colonial hydrozoan <i>Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus</i>.

Toxicon: X·2026

Same author

Loss of SPECC1L in cranial neural crest cells results in increased hedgehog signaling and frontonasal dysplasia.

Frontiers in physiology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells

Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells

Published on: December 2, 2010

Epithelial junctions maintain tissue architecture by directing planar spindle orientation.

Yu-ichiro Nakajima¹, Emily J Meyer, Amanda Kroesen

¹Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA.

|July 23, 2013

Summary

Proper mitotic spindle alignment is crucial for maintaining epithelial tissue integrity. Disruptions can lead to cancer, but junction proteins like Scribbled and Discs large 1 help regulate this process.

More Related Videos

Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica

Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica

Published on: February 10, 2023

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

Published on: July 10, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells

Improved Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Drug Effects Using Micropatterned Cells

Published on: December 2, 2010

Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica

Characterizing Epithelial Wound Healing In Vivo Using the Cnidarian Model Organism Clytia hemisphaerica

Published on: February 10, 2023

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

Engineering Three-dimensional Epithelial Tissues Embedded within Extracellular Matrix

Published on: July 10, 2016

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Developmental biology
Cancer research

Background:

Epithelial cell proliferation requires planar spindle alignment for tissue architecture.
Disrupted spindle alignment is linked to epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer.
In vivo mechanisms regulating spindle orientation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the in vivo mechanisms of planar spindle alignment in epithelial tissues.
To identify key regulators of mitotic spindle orientation and epithelial integrity.

Main Methods:

Utilized Drosophila imaginal discs as a model system.
Investigated the roles of the actomyosin cortex and junctional proteins (Scribbled, Discs large 1).
Observed effects of spindle misalignments on cell delamination, apoptosis, and tumor formation.

Main Results:

The actomyosin cortex and junctional Scribbled/Discs large 1 are essential for planar spindle alignment.
Defective spindle alignment correlates with cell delamination and apoptosis.
Inhibiting apoptosis in misaligned cells promotes basal tumor-like mass formation.

Conclusions:

Junction-mediated spindle alignment is vital for maintaining epithelial integrity.
Epithelial polarity and cell-death mechanisms possess inherent tumor-suppressive functions.