Adherens junctions

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Adherens Junctions

Adherens junctions (pronunciation: ad-heer-enz junc-tions) are a type of cell junction that play a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of cellular structure and tissue architecture.

Etymology

The term "adherens junction" is derived from the Latin word "adhaerens", meaning "sticking to", and the English word "junction", meaning "a point where two or more things are joined".

Function

Adherens junctions are responsible for mediating adhesion between cells, a process that is essential for the formation of tissues and organs. They are also involved in signal transduction pathways that regulate cell behavior.

Structure

Adherens junctions are composed of cadherin proteins, which are transmembrane proteins that bind to similar proteins on adjacent cells. The intracellular domain of cadherin proteins is linked to the cytoskeleton via catenin proteins.

Types

There are two main types of adherens junctions:

  • Zonula adherens: These are continuous, belt-like junctions that encircle the cell. They are found in epithelial tissues and help to maintain tissue integrity.
  • Fascia adherens: These are spot-like junctions that are found in cardiac muscle cells. They help to transmit contractile forces between cells.

Related Terms

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