Cell Junctions and Surface Specializations Flashcards
Two classes of cell adhesion molecules
Calcium dependent; calcium independent
Calcium dependent adhesion molecules
Cadherins, selectins
Calcium independent adhesion molecules
integrins, immunoglobulin superfamily
Function of cadherins
Maintain cell-cell contacts. Primarily homophilic adhesions (binds to other cadherins)
How does calcium removal affect cadherins?
Calcium removal stops adhesion and makes cadherins vulnerable to proteases
Adhesion using cadherins is stabilized by
actin cytoskeleton (binding to actin via catenins)
What is the loss of E-cadh erin associated with?
Tumor metastasis
E-cadherin is found in
epithelia
N-cadherin is found in
neural cells
Selectins
Bind to carbohydrates-each selection has carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Important for controlling movement of leukocytes from blood into tissues.
P-selectin
platelets, activated endothelial cells
E-selectin
activated endothelial cells
L-selectin
leukocytes (homing receptor)
In selectins, calcium bound at the sides of the CRD regulates
the conformation of the domain and its ability to bind carbohydrates
Outside the cell, the binding site on integrin is on what subunit?
β subunit (binds laminin, fibronectin, tenascin, vitronectin, collagen…)
Inside cell (Integrin) binds to cytoskeletal actin
via actin binding proteins (talin, vinculin, α-actinin)
Adhesion of integrins is stabilized (and destabilized) by
actin cytoskeleton