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In cell biology, adherens junctions (or zonula adherens, intermediate junction, or "belt desmosome" [1]) are protein complexes that occur at cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix junctions in epithelial and endothelial tissues, [2] usually more basal than tight junctions. An adherens junction is defined as a cell junction whose cytoplasmic ...
The band-type of adherens junctions is associated with bundles of actin filaments that also encircle the cell just below the plasma membrane. Spot-like adherens junctions called focal adhesions help cells adhere to extracellular matrix. The cytoskeletal actin filaments that tie into adherens junctions are contractile proteins and in addition to ...
Cell–cell junctions can occur in different forms. In anchoring junctions between cells such as adherens junctions and desmosomes, the main CAMs present are the cadherins. This family of CAMs are membrane proteins that mediate cell–cell adhesion through its extracellular domains and require extracellular Ca 2+ ions to function correctly. [2]
Principal interactions of structural proteins at cadherin-based adherens junction. Actin filaments are linked to α-actinin and to the membrane through vinculin. The head domain of vinculin is associated with E-cadherin via α-, β-, and γ-catenins. The tail domain of vinculin binds to membrane lipids and to actin filaments.
A desmosome (/ ˈ d ɛ z m ə ˌ s oʊ m /; [1] [2] "binding body"), also known as a macula adherens (plural: maculae adherentes) (Latin for adhering spot), is a cell structure specialized for cell-to-cell adhesion. A type of junctional complex, they are localized spot-like adhesions randomly arranged on the lateral sides of plasma membranes.
While in the adherens junction, cadherins recruit β-catenin molecules onto their intracellular regions [clarification needed]. β-catenin, in turn, associates with another highly dynamic protein, α-catenin, which directly binds to the actin filaments. [39] This is possible because α-catenin and cadherins bind at distinct sites to β-catenin ...
Thus, E-cadherin forms adherens junctions that connect the actin cytoskeletons of neighbouring cells. Adherens junctions are the primary force-bearing junctions between epithelial cells and are fundamentally important for maintaining epithelial cell shape and for dynamic changes in shape during tissue development.
The protein vezatin has been shown to play a critical role in the maintenance and formation of adherens junctions in many epithelial cells. Adherens junctions are composed primarily of E-cadherin, alpha and beta catenins and other proteins such as actin and myosin. The junctions formed are vital in creating cell-cell contacts and do so via the ...