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Related Concept Videos

Catenins01:23

Catenins

3.2K
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...
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Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

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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...
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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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Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

4.4K
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...
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

5.4K
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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Resolving the cadherin-F-actin connection.

Mitchell K L Han1, Johan de Rooij1

  • 1Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Nature Cell Biology
|December 24, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Cadherin complexes sense tissue tension to control development. New microscopy reveals how vinculin, a key mechanotransduction protein, is regulated at the cadherin-actin interface by physical and chemical cues.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Cadherin adhesion complexes are crucial for tissue integrity and development.
  • These complexes act as sensors of mechanical forces within tissues.
  • Understanding their regulation is key to deciphering developmental processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatial organization of the cadherin-actin interface.
  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of vinculin in response to mechanical and biochemical signals.
  • To understand how cadherin-based mechanotransduction influences developmental processes.

Main Methods:

  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Biochemical assays
  • Mechanistic studies of protein-protein interactions

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Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands
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Labeling F-actin Barbed Ends with Rhodamine-actin in Permeabilized Neuronal Growth Cones
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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

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Labeling F-actin Barbed Ends with Rhodamine-actin in Permeabilized Neuronal Growth Cones
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Main Results:

  • Detailed spatial organization of cadherins and the actin cytoskeleton at the adhesion interface was revealed.
  • Vinculin's regulation by both mechanical tension and biochemical cues was demonstrated.
  • The study provides insights into how physical forces are transduced into biochemical signals at cell-cell junctions.

Conclusions:

  • Cadherin complexes function as sophisticated sensors of tissue tension.
  • Vinculin plays a central role in mediating cadherin mechanotransduction.
  • These findings advance our understanding of how mechanical forces regulate cell adhesion and development.