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Related Concept Videos

Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

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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...
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Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

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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:...
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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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...
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Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

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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
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Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

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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...
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Cell Adhesion in Plants01:14

Cell Adhesion in Plants

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Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
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Visualizing Adhesion Formation in Cells by Means of Advanced Spinning Disk-Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy
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Visualizing Adhesion Formation in Cells by Means of Advanced Spinning Disk-Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

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Desmosomal adhesion in vivo.

Mohamed Berika1, David Garrod

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura City , Egypt.

Cell Communication & Adhesion
|January 28, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Desmosomes, crucial for tissue adhesion, rely on desmosomal cadherins (DCs). Their structure, evolution, and role in epithelial differentiation, development, and diseases like pemphigus are examined.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Desmosomes are vital intercellular junctions providing strong tissue adhesion.
  • Desmosomal cadherins (DCs) are key components mediating this hyper-adhesion.
  • Understanding desmosome function is critical for tissue integrity and disease research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular and structural basis of desmosomal adhesion.
  • To explore the role of desmosomal cadherins (DCs) in epithelial differentiation.
  • To review recent findings on desmosomes in development, wound healing, and pemphigus.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular and structural data on desmosomal cadherins.
  • Analysis of desmosomal cadherin isoforms and their evolutionary significance.
  • Synthesis of current research on desmosome function in physiological and pathological contexts.

Main Results:

  • Desmosomal cadherins (DCs) are central to desmosome structure and function.
  • DCs regulate epithelial cell differentiation and tissue dynamics.
  • Dysregulation of desmosome adhesiveness is implicated in human diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Desmosomes, through desmosomal cadherins, are essential for tissue cohesion and epithelial homeostasis.
  • Further research into desmosome regulation is crucial for understanding development and treating diseases.
  • The dynamic regulation of desmosomal adhesion is key to tissue repair and overall health.