Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Read me first …
- Glossary
- Dedication
- Introduction: A disease for every gene?
- I From molecular biology to human genetics
- II From molecular genetics to human biochemistry
- 6 Nutrition and energy
- 7 Membranes and channels
- 8 Cell-surface receptors and antigen recognition
- 9 Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
- 10 Cytoskeletal proteins and molecular motors
- III From molecular biochemistry to human cell biology
- IV From molecular cell biology to human physiology
- V From molecular physiology to human molecular biology
- Index
9 - Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Read me first …
- Glossary
- Dedication
- Introduction: A disease for every gene?
- I From molecular biology to human genetics
- II From molecular genetics to human biochemistry
- 6 Nutrition and energy
- 7 Membranes and channels
- 8 Cell-surface receptors and antigen recognition
- 9 Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
- 10 Cytoskeletal proteins and molecular motors
- III From molecular biochemistry to human cell biology
- IV From molecular cell biology to human physiology
- V From molecular physiology to human molecular biology
- Index
Summary
Cell adhesion
Cells contact each other via adhesion molecules
Cell adhesion is a mechanical necessity for multicellular organisms. Large groups of adherent cells sharing a common organ-specific function are termed tissues. The behavior of cells and tissues depends on information transfer from surrounding molecules – either those fixed to the surfaces of contiguous cells, or those diffusible within the proteinaceous extracellular matrix separating the cells of adherent tissues.
Adhesion to a substratum is a prerequisite for replication of many cell types, a growth requirement termed anchorage dependence. Conversely, many cell types will stop proliferating once a certain level of intercellular contact (confluence or crowding) has been reached: this process is termed density-dependent growth arrest or contact inhibition. Both anchorage dependence and contact inhibition are mediated by plasma membrane cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Dysfunction of adhesion proteins may thus disrupt cell growth control, and contribute to cell transformation.
Cell adhesion molecules participate in homophilic or heterophilic binding interactions. Homophilic binding occurs when the extracellular domain of one CAM binds to a similar domain of the same CAM expressed by another cell, whereas heterophilic binding denotes interaction between different CAM families. Adhesion reactions between cells of the same type are termed homotypic, whereas heterotypic adhesion occurs between different lineages. Adhesive interactions that cause cell clumping are termed aggregation reactions. Hence, platelets may either adhere (e.g., to endothelium) or aggregate (to each other); in vitro assays distinguish defective platelet adhesion and aggregation in different diseases.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Human Molecular BiologyAn Introduction to the Molecular Basis of Health and Disease, pp. 209 - 234Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002