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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 ...
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.
Adherens junctions share the characteristic of anchoring cells through their cytoplasmic actin filaments. Similarly to desmosomes and hemidesmosomes, their transmembrane anchors are composed of cadherins in those that anchor to other cells and integrins (focal adhesion) in those that anchor to extracellular matrix.
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]
The three types of cell junction recognised as making up an intercalated disc are desmosomes, fascia adherens junctions, and gap junctions. [2] Fascia adherens are anchoring sites for actin, and connect to the closest sarcomere. [3] Desmosomes prevent separation during contraction by binding intermediate filaments, anchoring the cell membrane ...
The most common are E-, N- and P-cadherins. In the adherens junctions of epithelial cells, E-cadherin is the most abundant. [1] Desmosomes also provide strength and durability to cells and tissues and are located just below adherens junctions. They are sites of adhesion and do not encircle the cell.
Adherens junctions require significant protein dynamics in order to link to the actin cytoskeleton, [35] thereby enabling mechanotransduction. [37] [38] An important component of the adherens junctions are the cadherin proteins. Cadherins form the cell–cell junctional structures known as adherens junctions as well as the desmosomes. Cadherins ...
Types of cell junctions (click to enlarge). Important for the barrier function of intestinal epithelium, its cells are joined securely together by four types of cell junction which can be identified at the ultrastructural level: [14] [15] Gap junctions; Desmosomes; Adherens junctions; Tight junctions