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Related Concept Videos

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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Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

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Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
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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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Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

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Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
52.8K
Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

Contact-dependent Signaling

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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...
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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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Isolation and 3D Collagen Sandwich Culture of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes to Study the Role of Cytoskeleton in Bile Canalicular Formation In Vitro
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Hepatic cell junctions: Pulling a double-duty.

Raf Van Campenhout1, Mathieu Vinken1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
|August 8, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Hepatic cell junctions are crucial for liver structure and function. This review explores their role in liver health and disease, highlighting their importance in maintaining normal liver physiology.

Keywords:
adherens junctionsdesmosomesgap junctionslivertight junctions

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Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cell junctions are vital for tissue organization and function in multicellular organisms.
  • Hepatic cell junctions, specifically, mediate adhesion and communication between liver cells, forming a critical network.
  • This network is essential for establishing and maintaining normal liver functioning and liver-specific features.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of cell junctions and their components in liver physiology.
  • To discuss the involvement of hepatic cell junctions in liver dysfunction, disease, and toxicity.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of hepatic cell junctions.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review paper, synthesizing existing research.
  • Literature search and analysis of studies on cell junctions in the liver.
  • Compilation of data on the structure, function, and dysfunction of hepatic cell junctions.

Main Results:

  • Cell junctions (anchoring, occluding, communicating) are indispensable for liver structure and function.
  • Hepatic cell junctions regulate intercellular adhesion and communication, supporting liver-specific functions and the hepatic life cycle.
  • Dysfunction of these junctions is implicated in various liver diseases and toxicities.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatic cell junctions are fundamental to liver health, regulating key physiological processes.
  • Understanding hepatic cell junction dynamics is crucial for diagnosing and treating liver diseases.
  • Further research into cell junction components may reveal novel therapeutic targets for hepatic conditions.