Fascia adherens

Fascia adherens (pronunciation: /ˈfæʃiə ædˈhɪərənz/) is a type of cell junction best known for its long, straight, adhering junctions, which are abundant in heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes).

Etymology

The term "Fascia adherens" is derived from the Latin words "fascia", meaning "band", and "adherens", meaning "sticking to". This term accurately describes the function of these junctions, which is to stick or adhere cells together.

Function

Fascia adherens play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the tissue, particularly in tissues that undergo significant mechanical stress, such as the heart muscle. They are responsible for transmitting the mechanical force of the contracting heart muscle from cell to cell.

Structure

The structure of the fascia adherens is complex and involves several key proteins, including cadherins, catenins, and vinculin. These proteins interact to form a strong adhesive bond between adjacent cells.

Related Terms

Cell junction: A type of structure existing within the tissue of some multicellular organisms. It consists of direct, physical contact between cell to cell or cell to extracellular matrix.
Cadherins: A type of protein found in the cell membrane that plays a key role in cell adhesion.
Catenins: A family of proteins that link cadherins to the actin filaments of the cell cytoskeleton.
Vinculin: A membrane-cytoskeletal protein in focal adhesion plaques that is involved in linkage of integrin adhesion molecules to the actin cytoskeleton.