Adherens junction
Adherens junctions are cadherin-mediated adhesive junctions that interact with actin [1] . They are points of attachment between the cell surface and the cytoskeleton. This kind of junctions are specialized for adhesions between cell and extraceullular matrix, as well as adhesions between cells. Most easily seen in epithelial cells. The space between adjacent membranes at adherens junctions is about 20-25 nm [2] . In epithlial cells, adherens junctions form a continuous belt that surrounds the cell at the apical end of the lateral membrane. Also, Adherens Junctions share similarities to Desmosomes and Hemi-desmosomes, due to they contain both cadherin and integrin which are transmembrane linkers used in the others[3]. Accordingly, this creates a connection to adjacent cells and extracellular matrix.
References
- ↑ Wayne M. Becker, Lewis J. Kleinsmith, Jeff Hardin, Gregory Paul Bertoni (2009), The World of the Cell, Pearson International Edition, 7th Edition, P.485
- ↑ Wayne M. Becker, Lewis J. Kleinsmith, Jeff Hardin, Gregory Paul Bertoni (2009), The World of the Cell, Pearson International Edition, 7th Edition, P.485
- ↑ Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002.