Cell adhesion molecule

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about cell adhesion molecules. For the role of CAMs in the formation and stabilization of neural synapses, see Synaptic stabilization.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a subset of cell surface proteins[1] that are involved in the binding of cells with other cells or with the extracellular matrix (ECM), in a process called cell adhesion.[2] In essence, CAMs help cells stick to each other and to their surroundings. CAMs are crucial components in maintaining tissue structure and function. In fully developed animals, these molecules play an integral role in generating force and movement and consequently ensuring that organs are able to execute their functions normally.[3] In addition to serving as "molecular glue", CAMs play important roles in the cellular mechanisms of growth, contact inhibition, and apoptosis. Aberrant expression of CAMs may result in a wide range of pathologies, ranging from frostbite to cancer.[4]

Structure

CAMs are typically single-pass

transmembrane receptors [5] and are composed of three conserved domains: an intracellular domain that interacts with the cytoskeleton, a transmembrane domain, and an extracellular domain. These proteins can interact in several different ways.[6]
The first method is through homophilic binding, where CAMs bind with the same CAMs. They are also capable of heterophilic binding, meaning a CAM on one cell will bind with different CAMs on another cell.

Families of CAMs

There are four major superfamilies or groups of CAMs: the

Proteoglycans
are also considered to be a class of CAMs.

One classification system involves the distinction between calcium-independent CAMs and calcium-dependent CAMs.[7] The Ig-superfamily CAMs do not depend on Ca2+ while integrins, cadherins and selectins depend on Ca2+. In addition, integrins participate in cell–matrix interactions, while other CAM families participate in cell–cell interactions.[8]

Calcium-independent

IgSF CAMs

Main article: IgSF CAM

Immunoglobulin superfamily CAMs (IgSF CAMs) is regarded as the most diverse superfamily of CAMs. This family is characterized by their extracellular domains containing Ig-like domains. The Ig domains are then followed by Fibronectin type III domain repeats and IgSFs are anchored to the membrane by a GPI moiety. This family is involved in both homophilic or heterophilic binding and has the ability to bind integrins or different IgSF CAMs.[citation needed]

Calcium-dependent

Integrins

Main article: Integrin

transcription.[11]

Integrins are

cations. The integrins contain multiple divalent cation binding sites in the extracellular domain [14]). The integrin cation binding sites can be occupied by Ca2+ or by Mn2+ ions. Cations are necessary but not sufficient for integrins to convert from the inactive bent conformation into the active extended conformation. Both the presence of cations bound to the multiple cation binding sites is required, along with the direct physical association with ECM ligands for integrins to attain the extended structure and concomitant activation.[15] Thus, rise in extracellular Ca2+ ions may serve to prime the integrin heterodimer. The release of intracellular Ca2+ have been shown to be important for integrin inside-out activation.[16] However, extracellular Ca2+ binding may exert different effects depending on the type of integrin and the cation concentration.[17]
Integrins regulate their activity within the body by changing conformation. Most exist at rest in a low affinity state, which can be altered to high affinity through an external agonist which causes a conformational change within the integrin, increasing their affinity.[11]

An example of this is the aggregation of

platelets;[11] Agonists such as thrombin or collagen trigger the integrin into its high affinity state, which causes increased fibrinogen
binding, causing platelet aggregation.

Cadherins

Main article: Cadherin

The

N- and P-) are concentrated at the intermediate cell junctions, which link to the actin filament network through specific linking proteins called catenins.[18]

Cadherins are notable in embryonic development. For example, cadherins are crucial in gastrulation for the formation of the mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm. Cadherins also contribute significantly to the development of the nervous system. The distinct temporal and spatial localization of cadherins implicates these molecules as major players in the process of synaptic stabilization. Each cadherin exhibits a unique pattern of tissue distribution that is carefully controlled by calcium. The diverse family of cadherins include epithelial (E-cadherins), placental (P-cadherins), neural (N-cadherins), retinal (R-cadherins), brain (B-cadherins and T-cadherins), and muscle (M-cadherins).[18] Many cell types express combinations of cadherin types.

The

extracellular domain has major repeats called extracellular cadherin domains (ECD). Sequences involved in Ca2+
 binding between the ECDs are necessary for cell adhesion. The cytoplasmic domain has specific regions where catenin proteins bind.[19]

Selectins

Main article: Selectin

The

PSGL-1), which is a mucin-type glycoprotein expressed on all white blood cells. Selectins have been implicated in several roles but they are especially important in the immune system by helping white blood cell homing and trafficking.[20]

Biological function of CAMs

The variety in CAMs leads to diverse functionality of these proteins in the biological setting. One of the CAMS that are particularly important in the lymphocyte homing is addressin.[21] Lymphocyte homing is a key process occurring in a strong immune system. It controls the process of circulating lymphocytes adhering to particular regions and organs of the body.[22] The process is highly regulated by cell adhesion molecules, particularly, the addressin also known as MADCAM1. This antigen is known for its role in tissue-specific adhesion of lymphocytes to high endothelium venules.[23] Through these interactions they play a crucial role in orchestrating circulating lymphocytes.

CAM function in cancer metastasis, inflammation, and thrombosis makes it a viable therapeutic target that is currently being considered. For example, they block the metastatic cancer cells' ability to extravasate and home to secondary sites. This has been successfully demonstrated in metastatic melanoma that hones to the lungs. In mice, when antibodies directed against CAMs in the lung endothelium were used as treatment there was a significant reduction in the number of metastatic sites.[24]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cell adhesion molecules.

References

  1. ^ Cell+Adhesion+Molecules at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
  2. PMID 9242926
    .
  3. PMID 8608588
    .
  4. PMID 8199653
    .
  5. ^ "Single-pass transmembrane adhesion and structural proteins". membranome. College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan. Retrieved October 20, 2018.in Membranome database
  6. S2CID 6298053
    .
  7. PMID 6165990
    .
  8. ^ Lodish, Harvey; Berk, Arnold; Zipursky, S. Lawrence; Matsudaira, Paul; Baltimore, David; Darnell, James (2000-01-01). "Cell–Cell Adhesion and Communication". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. doi:10.1016/s1044-5781(06)80016-2
  10. ^
    PMID 16988024
    .
  11. ^ a b c Schnapp, L (2006). Integrin, Adhesion/cell-matrix. Seattle: Elsevier.
  12. PMID 16002137
    .
  13. PMID 7781865
    .
  14. S2CID 24339086
    .
  15. PMID 26391523
    .
  16. PMID 27303307
    .
  17. PMID 22647937
    .
  18. ^
    PMID 1623205
    .
  19. PMID 24710147
    .
  20. S2CID 18383054
    .
  21. S2CID 37831094
    .
  22. PMID 7917107
    .
  23. PMID 19860663
    .
  24. ISBN 978-1-4613-1143-0
    .
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cell_adhesion_molecule&oldid=1200526951"