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The molecular structure of cell adhesion molecules
Annual Review of Biochemistry
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Advances in understanding cell adhesion molecules reveal their molecular structures and binding sites. This knowledge explains rapid cell migration and high-affinity cell-cell interactions through molecular avidity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are crucial for cellular interactions.
- Understanding their molecular structure is key to deciphering cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in the molecular structure of various cell adhesion molecules.
- To highlight insights into their binding sites and adhesion complexes.
Main Methods:
- Structural analysis of molecular domains.
- Development of molecular models for adhesion complexes.
- Experimental data validation.
Main Results:
- Detailed molecular structures and binding sites elucidated for cadherins, protein zero, CD2, neural cell adhesion molecules, L1, fibronectin, tenascin-C, integrins, and vascular cell adhesion molecules.
- Substrate recognition sites exhibit rate constants enabling rapid cell migration and high-affinity interactions via avidity.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress in understanding CAM molecular structures and functions.
- Elucidation of binding sites and complexes provides mechanistic insights into cell adhesion, migration, and interaction.