The Extracellular Matrix Flashcards
What is the extracellular matrix
What are MMPs
Proteases secreted by cells if cells want to move by eating the surrounding cells
What is a fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of cell that contributes to the formation of connective tissue, a fibrous cellular material that supports and connects other tissues or organs in the body. Fibroblasts secrete collagen proteins that help maintain the structural framework of tissues.
How do cells make the ECM
Components of the ECM are produced intracellularly by resident cells and secreted into the ECM via exocytosis. Once secreted, they then aggregate with the existing matrix. The ECM is composed of an interlocking mesh of fibrous proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
What are the 3 major classes of ECM macromolecules
What are GAGs
What are the functions of GAGs
What is a proteoglycan
What are some examples of proteoglycans
Where are these proteoglycans found
What are the functions of these proteoglycans
What are the characteristics of fibrous ECM proteins
What are the characteristics of collagen
What are some types of collagen
Where are these types of collagen found
What happens when these types of collagen are mutated
What is elastin needed for
Elastin is held by cross links And is very stable
What is the structure of arteries
What is the general structure of non collagen glycoproteins
What is the structure of fibronectin
What is the function of fibronectin
Fibronectin (FN) is a multifunctional adhesive glycoprotein that plays an important role in tissue repair, in regulating cell attachment and motility
How are the 3 classes of ECM components organised in the basal lamina
What is the functions of the basal lamina
What are the different locations of the basal lamina
Describe the structure of the basal lamina
The basal lamina consists of a mixture of collagens, laminin (glycoprotein), perlecan (heparan sulphate glycoprotein), entactin (glycoprotein). These proteins can bind to each other to make a highly crosslinked extracellular matrix
How can the ECM affect cell behaviour
Via ECM receptors
Main type= integrins
