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Cell Junctions

CELL

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4 views

Cell Junctions

CELL

Uploaded by

kibetjavan15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CELL JUNCTIONS

Daniel M.I. Alliangana, M.Phil.


Department of Medical Physiology
School of Medicine
Moi University
©
Cell Junctions

• Cell junctions are specialized l junctions that


directly connects the cytoplasm of two cells.
CELL JUNCTIONS
• There are three major types of cell junctions:
anchoring junctions, tight junctions, and gap
junctions.
• They consist of protein complexes and are
found in various tissues of vertebrates,
especially muscles and epithelial tissues.
• Cell junctions are made from proteins called
cell adhesion molecules, which are signal
receptors in the cell membrane.
Gap junctions
• Allow various molecules and ions to pass freely between cells.

• A gap junction channel is composed of two connexons, also known


as hemichannels, which line up across the intercellular space.

• Most gap junction hemichannels are composed of a complex of six


connexin proteins, each characterized by four transmembrane
domains. Six connexin sub-units assemble to create one connexon,
or hemichannel.

• Channel composition influences the function of the gap junction.

• Gap junctions allow for electrical communication between cells,


they also allow they passage of small second messengers.

• Gap junctions are expressed in virtually all tissues and cells, but
most notably in cell types that are involved in direct electrical
CELL JUNCTION FUNCTION
1. Tight (Occluding) Seals neighboring cells together in
Junctions an epithelial sheet to prevent leakage
of molecules between them
2. Anchoring Junctions

Adherens Junction Joins an actin bundle in one cell


to an actin bundle in a neighboring
cell
Focal Adhesion
Attaches actin filaments in a cell to
extracellular matrix
Desmosome “Spot weld” that anchors the
intermediate filaments in one cell
to those in a neighboring cell
Hemidesmosome Anchors intermediate filaments in a cell
to the basal lamina or underlying
extracellular matrix

3. Communicating
Junctions
G Gap Junction Cell-cell junction which allows the
Gap Junction passage of small water-soluble ions and
molecules & electrical signals
Chemical Synapse Facilitates a type ofneurotransmission
Anchoring Junctions
• Stabilize cells against mechanical stress
• Mechanically attach cells and
their cytoskeleton to their
neighbors or to the extracellular
matrix
Adherens Junctions
• Join an actin bundle in one
cell to actin bundle in
adjacent cell
• Form adhesive belt just
below tight junction
• Cadherins: Ca2+-
dependenttransmembran
e adhesion proteins
• Anchor (plaque) proteins
anchor cadherins to
contractile actin
• Required for tight junction
formation
Cadherins Mediate Calcium-
Dependent Binding Between Cells

Homophilic Adhesion

(Catenins)
Desmosomes
• Spot welds that anchor cells together
• Attached to intermediate filaments
• Desmosomal cadherins: Desmogleins and Desmocollins
• Plaque proteins anchor desmosomal cadherins to IF
• Pemphigus: Auto antibodies to desmosomal cadherins
cause blistering

Tonofilaments:
Bundles of cytokeratin
intermediate filaments
Desmosomes—rivets between cells
Cell-cell adhesion
• Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)
– Lots of them
– Involved in many cellular processes
• Cadherins
– Adhesive glycoproteins
CELL JUNCTIONS
• Adhesive junctions
– Strong links
• Tight junctions
– Prevent leaks between cells
• Gap junctions
– Forms direct link between cells
CELL JUNCTIONS

• Occluding junctions:
- seal cells together into sheets (forming
an impermeable barrier)
• Anchoring junctions: attach cells (and their
- cytoskeleton) to other cells or
extracellular matrix (providing mechanical
support)

• Communicating junctions:
- allow exchange of chemical/electrical
information between cells
Adhesive junctions
• Desmosomes
• Hemidesmosomes
• Adherens junctions
• Focal adhesions

All contain
- intracellular attachment proteins—link to
cytoskeleton
- transmembrane linker proteins—link the cells

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