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Related Concept Videos

Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

7.0K
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...
7.0K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

4.7K
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:...
4.7K
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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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...
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Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

6.0K
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
6.0K
Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

Contact-dependent Signaling

46.7K
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
46.7K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.3K
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: Dec 30, 2025

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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Desmosomes:  Essential contributors to an integrated intercellular junction network.

Kathleen J Green1,2, Avinash Jaiganesh1, Joshua A Broussard1,2

  • 1Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.

F1000Research
|January 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Desmosomes, critical for multicellularity, evolved in vertebrates to link intermediate filaments and enhance cell adhesion. These junctions provide new mechanical and signaling roles through interactions with other cellular networks.

Keywords:
Adherens junctionsCadherinsConnexinsCytoskeletonGap JunctionsIntermediate FilamentsTight junctions

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Last Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands
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Measuring Interactions of Globular and Filamentous Proteins by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy NMR and Microscale Thermophoresis MST
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Intercellular junctions are vital for multicellularity, organ development, and tissue homeostasis in vertebrates.
  • Four main types exist: desmosomes, adherens junctions, tight junctions, and gap junctions.
  • These junctions cooperate physically and functionally, forming a complex system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolutionary emergence of desmosomes in vertebrates.
  • To explore how desmosomes conferred novel mechanical and signaling properties.
  • To understand desmosome interactions within the cellular junctional and cytoskeletal network.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on desmosome evolution and function.
  • Analysis of desmosome's role in cell-cell adhesion and cytoskeletal coupling.
  • Examination of desmosome interactions with other junction types.

Main Results:

  • Desmosomes first appeared in vertebrates, specializing in strong cell-cell adhesion.
  • They couple the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane.
  • Desmosomes introduced unique mechanical and signaling capabilities to vertebrate cells and tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Desmosomes are key evolutionary innovations in vertebrates.
  • Their integration with existing networks created robust and diverse cellular adhesion systems.
  • Understanding desmosome interactions is crucial for comprehending tissue development and function.