Cell adhesion molecules
Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) are proteins located on the cell surface involved in binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the process called cell adhesion. These proteins are typically transmembrane receptors and are composed of three domains: an intracellular domain that interacts with the cytoskeleton, a transmembrane domain, and an extracellular domain that interacts either with other CAMs of the same kind (homophilic binding) or with other CAMs or the extracellular matrix (heterophilic binding).
Pronunciation
Cell Adhesion Molecules: /sɛl ædˈhiːʒən ˈmɒlɪkjuːlz/
Etymology
The term "Cell Adhesion Molecules" is derived from the English language. "Cell" comes from the Latin cella, meaning a small room. "Adhesion" comes from the Latin adhaesio, meaning a sticking to. "Molecule" comes from the Latin moles, meaning mass.
Types of Cell Adhesion Molecules
There are four main types of CAMs: Cadherins, Integrins, Selectins, and Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) CAMs.
- Cadherins are a type of CAM that mediate calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. They play important roles in maintaining tissue structure in multicellular organisms.
- Integrins are transmembrane receptors that facilitate cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Upon ligand binding, integrins activate signal transduction pathways that mediate cellular signals such as regulation of the cell cycle, organization of the intracellular cytoskeleton, and movement of new receptors to the cell membrane.
- Selectins are a family of cell adhesion molecules that bind to carbohydrates. They play a crucial role in the inflammatory response.
- Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) CAMs are a large group of cell adhesion molecules involved in the immune response and nervous system development.
Related Terms
- Cell Adhesion
- Extracellular Matrix
- Transmembrane Receptor
- Cytoskeleton
- Homophilic Binding
- Heterophilic Binding
- Inflammatory Response
- Immune Response
- Nervous System Development
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cell adhesion molecules
- Wikipedia's article - Cell adhesion molecules
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