Cell Adhesion 2 - Adhesion to the ECM Flashcards
is adhesion to the ECM permanent?
- no
- as cells need to migrate
What are integrins?
- connect the cell to the ECM
- heterodimers
- transmembrane proteins
- one end connects to fibronectin which connects to ECM
- other end attaches to adaptor proteins which attach to actin (cytoskeleton)
Why is integrin connected to the cytoskeleton?
without this connection it would be flimsy
What is fibronectin?
- dimer connected by disulphide bridge
- cell attachment site - where integrins attach
- ECM binding site - where collagen binds
What is the structure of integrin?
- heterodimer
- alpha sub-unit
- beta sub-unit
What is the innactive conformation of integrin?
folded
What is the active conformation of integrin?
- stretched
- when bound to fibronectin
Explain integrin regulation
inactive - folded
active - stretched
- reversible change - allows cells to move across ECM
How many different kinds of integrin do humans have?
24
how do integrins coordinate cell movement?
- new attachments made at front of cell
- old adhesions released at the back
- actin forms bonds with ECM in direction of movement and releasing them at the back
What is the role of collagen in the ECM?
tensile strength - resist stretching
What is the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
- resist compression - opposite of collagen
What is the structure of proteoglycans?
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) join to core protein
How do glycosaminoglycans resist compression?
- GAGs are negative
- attract cations in the ECM
- draw in water
- swelling pressure
- resisting compression
how do collagen and GAGs work together in the ECM?
- tension in collagen
- balanced by GAG swelling
- resulting matrix is tough and resistant to pressure