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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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Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

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Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
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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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Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

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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. 
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Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

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A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification
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Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification

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Desmin Modulates Muscle Cell Adhesion and Migration.

Coralie Hakibilen1, Florence Delort1, Marie-Thérèse Daher1

  • 1Université de Paris, BFA, UMR 8251, CNRS, Paris, France.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|March 30, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Desmin, a muscle protein, regulates cell adhesion and migration. Mutations in desmin disrupt these processes, impacting muscle regeneration and potentially leading to new therapies for desmin-related myopathies.

Keywords:
desminfocal adhesionintermediate filamentsmigrationmyopathiesvinculin

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Related Experiment Videos

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Area of Science:

  • Muscle biology
  • Cellular adhesion and migration
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cellular adhesion and migration are crucial for muscle function and regeneration.
  • Disruptions in these processes are implicated in various diseases.
  • Desmin is a muscle-specific intermediate filament protein.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of desmin in cellular adhesion and migration.
  • To determine if desmin mutations, found in desmin-related myopathy, affect these cellular functions.
  • To explore the link between desmin function and muscle regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Studied the effect of p.R406W mutant desmin expression in myogenic C2C12 cells.
  • Analyzed satellite cells from desmin-knock-out (DesKO) and desmin-knock-in-p.R405W (DesKI-R405W) mice.
  • Examined vinculin localization and expression in cell cultures and muscle tissues.

Main Results:

  • Mutant desmin expression altered focal adhesion and adhesion-signaling genes.
  • DesKO and DesKI-R405W satellite cells exhibited reduced adhesion and increased migration.
  • Mislocalized and aggregated vinculin was observed in DesKO, DesKI-R405W, and patient muscles, with increased vinculin expression.

Conclusions:

  • Desmin plays a novel role in regulating cell-matrix adhesion.
  • Defects in desmin-mediated adhesion and migration are linked to the pathophysiology of desminopathies.
  • This research may identify new therapeutic targets for muscle diseases.