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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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Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

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Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
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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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Anchoring Junctions01:03

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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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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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Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

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Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Dsg2 ectodomain organization increases throughout desmosome assembly.

William F Dean1, Rose M Albert1, Tomasz J Nawara1

  • 1Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Cell Adhesion & Migration
|April 3, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Desmosome assembly involves increasing organization of desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) ectodomains, which correlates with enhanced adhesive strength during cell repair and development.

Keywords:
Assemblycadherincell-cell adhesiondesmosomefluorescence polarization

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Structural biology

Background:

  • Desmosomes are crucial intercellular junctions providing mechanical integrity to tissues.
  • Their dynamic remodeling is vital for processes like wound healing and development.
  • Mechanisms of desmosome assembly and cadherin organization during this process are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the emergence of order within desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) ectodomains during desmosome assembly.
  • To correlate cadherin ectodomain organization with the development of adhesive strength.
  • To examine desmosome assembly and Dsg2 organization at the leading edge of migratory cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fluorescence polarization microscopy to quantify ectodomain order.
  • Observed desmosome assembly over an 8-hour period.
  • Employed a scratch wound assay to study desmosome dynamics in migrating cells.

Main Results:

  • Desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) ectodomain order progressively increased during 8 hours of desmosome assembly.
  • This increase in order was concurrent with a rise in desmosome adhesive strength.
  • Similar increases in Dsg2 order were observed in desmosomes assembling at the leading edge of cells in a wound healing model.

Conclusions:

  • Cadherin ectodomain organization is a key feature of mature desmosomes.
  • The gradual organization of cadherins likely contributes to the acquisition of adhesive strength during desmosome assembly.
  • This study provides insights into the structural basis of desmosome function and remodeling.