Biomedical Engineering Departmental Office, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Mar;40(3):568-77. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0439-6. Epub 2011 Oct 21.
Cell-cell junctional proteins play important structural and functional roles in several physiological systems. Recent studies have illuminated key aspects in the relationship of junctional proteins with normal cell and tissue function as well as various pathologies. In this review article, the roles of cell-cell junctional proteins will be presented in four classes: adherens junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions, and tight junctions, and discussed primarily in the context of cardiovascular cell and tissue physiology and pathophysiology. The functions of the proteins are described from the perspective of mechanotransductive regulation of physiological and disease processes, with focus being laid on more biomechanical aspects, such as cell adhesion, migration, and mechanosignaling.
细胞-细胞连接蛋白在多个生理系统中发挥着重要的结构和功能作用。最近的研究阐明了连接蛋白与正常细胞和组织功能以及各种病理之间关系的关键方面。在这篇综述文章中，将介绍细胞-细胞连接蛋白的四个类别：黏着连接、桥粒、缝隙连接和紧密连接，并主要在心血管细胞和组织生理学和病理生理学的背景下进行讨论。从生理和疾病过程的机械转导调节的角度描述了这些蛋白的功能，重点放在更具生物力学方面，如细胞黏附、迁移和机械信号转导。
