Adhesion molecules

Definition

Adhesion molecules are proteins located on the cell surface that facilitate the binding between cells or between cells and the extracellular matrix. They play a crucial role in maintaining tissue structure, mediating cell signaling, and influencing cellular behavior by enabling cells to adhere to one another and to their surrounding environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adhesion molecules are crucial for processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, and immune responses by helping cells stick together.
2. Different types of adhesion molecules can influence cell migration, shape, and differentiation depending on their specific interactions.
3. Adhesion molecules can also play a role in disease processes, including cancer metastasis, where tumor cells exploit adhesion mechanisms to spread to other tissues.
4. The binding of adhesion molecules can activate intracellular signaling pathways that affect gene expression and cellular behavior.
5. Defects in adhesion molecules can lead to various diseases, including autoimmune disorders and developmental abnormalities.

Review Questions

• How do adhesion molecules contribute to tissue organization and integrity?
  • Adhesion molecules play a vital role in maintaining tissue organization by facilitating cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. These proteins help cells adhere to one another and form stable connections, which is essential for the structural integrity of tissues. By anchoring cells in place, adhesion molecules also contribute to signaling pathways that regulate growth, differentiation, and survival, ensuring that tissues function properly.
• Discuss the role of integrins in mediating cell-matrix interactions and their impact on cellular behavior.
  • Integrins are a key class of adhesion molecules that mediate interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix. They not only provide structural support but also act as signaling receptors that transmit information from the ECM to the cell. This communication influences various cellular behaviors such as migration, proliferation, and survival. When integrins engage with the ECM, they can trigger intracellular signaling cascades that alter gene expression and ultimately affect how cells respond to their environment.
• Evaluate the significance of adhesion molecules in cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies targeting these molecules.
  • Adhesion molecules significantly influence cancer progression by regulating how tumor cells interact with each other and their microenvironment. Changes in adhesion molecule expression can enhance tumor cell migration and invasion, facilitating metastasis. Targeting these molecules presents potential therapeutic strategies; for example, blocking specific adhesion pathways could prevent metastasis or promote tumor regression. Research into adhesion molecule inhibitors is ongoing, focusing on how they can be used alongside traditional therapies to improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

Related terms

integrins: Integrins are a family of adhesion receptors that facilitate cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and also transmit signals from the ECM to the cell, influencing cellular responses.

cadherins: Cadherins are a type of adhesion molecule that mediate calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion, playing a key role in the formation of tissues and organs.

selectins: Selectins are adhesion molecules that mediate the interaction between leukocytes and endothelial cells during the immune response, facilitating the rolling and attachment of white blood cells to blood vessel walls.