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Related Concept Videos

Structure of Cadherins01:25

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 Organization01:19

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
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Catenins01:23

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.
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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 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.
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Clathrin Coated Vesicles

Clathrin-coated vesicles use endocytosis to transport receptors and lysosomal hydrolases from the Golgi to the lysosome in the late secretory pathway. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis was the first described endocytic process, and Clathrin-coated vesicles remain one of the most well-studied transport vesicles. The molecular machinery that generates clathrin-coated vesicles comprises over 50 proteins that precisely coordinate vesicle formation. Cell surface receptors concentrated in indented sites...

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
08:15

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Clustered protocadherins.

Weisheng V Chen1, Tom Maniatis

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|August 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Clustered protocadherin (Pcdh) genes in vertebrates generate single-cell diversity essential for neural circuit assembly. These Pcdhs ensure proper neurodevelopment, including neurite self-avoidance, through specific cell interactions.

Keywords:
CTCFCohesinHomophilic interactionPromoter choiceSelf-avoidanceSingle cell diversity

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

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Published on: October 17, 2014

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The majority of vertebrate protocadherin (Pcdh) genes are organized in a single, conserved genomic locus.
  • Clustered Pcdhs are crucial for neurodevelopmental processes like neurite self-avoidance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the molecular and cellular biology of clustered Pcdhs.
  • To highlight how clustered Pcdhs generate single-cell diversity in the vertebrate nervous system.
  • To explore the role of this diversity in neural circuit assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on clustered Pcdh function.
  • Analysis of genomic organization and evolutionary conservation of Pcdh clusters.
  • Examination of molecular interactions and cellular expression patterns of Pcdhs.

Main Results:

  • Clustered Pcdhs exhibit differential expression in individual neurons.
  • Pcdhs engage in homophilic multimer trans-interactions.
  • This molecular mechanism underlies single-cell diversity and neurite self-avoidance.

Conclusions:

  • Clustered Pcdhs are key regulators of neuronal identity and connectivity.
  • The genomic organization of Pcdhs supports the generation of cellular diversity crucial for complex neural circuits.
  • Understanding Pcdh function is vital for deciphering neural circuit assembly and function.