Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
08:15
Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
Published on: October 17, 2014
10.7K
To Stick or Not to Stick: The Multiple Roles of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Neural Circuit Assembly
Trevor Moreland1, Fabienne E Poulain1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 16, 2022
Summary
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are crucial for neural circuit assembly, guiding axon development through both traditional adhesive roles and emerging non-adhesive functions in pathfinding and refinement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Precise neural circuit wiring is fundamental for brain function.
- Axon navigation during development relies on extracellular cues.
- Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are key regulators of neural development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the established adhesive functions of CAMs in neural development.
- To explore the recently discovered non-adhesive roles of CAMs.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of CAMs' multifaceted contributions to neural circuit assembly.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on cell adhesion molecules in neural development.
- Analysis of research on both adhesive and non-adhesive functions of CAMs.
- Synthesis of findings to highlight CAMs' diverse roles.
Main Results:
- CAMs mediate essential adhesive functions in axon navigation, fasciculation, and synapse formation.
- CAMs exhibit critical non-adhesive functions, including acting as guidance cues and modulating signaling pathways.
- CAMs regulate spatial organization of axonal arbors and refine neuronal projections.
Conclusions:
- CAMs play dual roles in neural circuit assembly: classical adhesion and novel non-adhesive functions.
- Understanding both adhesive and non-adhesive CAM functions is vital for comprehending neural development.
- CAMs are indispensable for the precise formation and maturation of neural circuits.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
3.4K
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
3.4K
01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
7.6K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
7.6K
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
3.2K
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...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
3.2K
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
7.6K
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved...
7.6K
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
2.8K
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...
Some...
2.8K
01:14Cell Adhesion in Plants
2.9K
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.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
2.9K