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Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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 Junctions
Tight...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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 Junctions
Tight...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

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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Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring Junctions

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:...

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions

Published on: July 28, 2022

Structural Insights into Ordered Multicomponent Assemblies in Cell Junctions.

Oliver James Harrison¹, Priyanka Mathews¹, Julia Brasch²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

|June 23, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cell junctions are vital for tissue integrity and development. This study explores the structural and molecular assembly of key cadherin-mediated junctions, revealing principles of organization and biological function.

Keywords:

Adherens junction Cadherin Cell adhesion Cell junction Clustered protocadherin Cryo-EM Cryo-ET Delta protocadherin Desmosome Membrane assembly Protein assembly Protein interaction Structural biology Structure X-ray crystallography

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions

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Published on: July 28, 2022

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Directed Assembly of Elastin-like Proteins into defined Supramolecular Structures and Cargo Encapsulation In Vitro

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Published on: April 8, 2020

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Structural Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Cell junctions are crucial for metazoan tissue cohesion, integrity, and development.
Vertebrate junctions include stable (adherens, desmosomes, focal adhesions) and transient complexes involved in recognition and signaling.
These junctions are formed by cell surface adhesion/recognition proteins and cytoplasmic proteins linking to the cytoskeleton.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the structural and molecular principles of cell junction assembly and organization.
To focus on three cadherin-mediated junctions: adherens junctions, desmosomes, and neuronal self-recognition complexes.
To highlight how specific arrangements contribute to junction assembly and biological roles.

Main Methods:

Review of structural and molecular data on cell junction assembly.
Detailed examination of adherens junctions, desmosomes, and protocadherin complexes.
Analysis of protein ectodomain assembly and intracellular component mirroring.

Main Results:

Structural methods provide insights into the assembly of large intercellular structures.
Intrinsic properties of adhesion/recognition proteins drive ordered membrane assemblies.
Specific and organized arrangements are key to junction assembly and function.

Conclusions:

Understanding the structural and molecular basis of cell junction assembly is essential for comprehending tissue development and function.
Cadherin-mediated junctions exhibit highly specific organization tuned to their biological roles.
These principles govern the formation of complex intercellular structures vital for multicellular organisms.