Juxtacrine cell signaling molecules.

Cell adhesion molecules and diffusible growth factors have long been studied as two separate forms of intercellular communication. However, biologists working in these two areas are seeing their fields converge. This merge has been promoted by the identification of membrane-anchored growth factors that activate receptors on adjacent cells through intimate cell-cell contacts, and cell adhesion molecules that act as signaling receptors. Juxtacrine stimulation mediated by these two classes of molecules is critical in various aspects of tissue development and maintenance. Our increasing appreciation of juxtacrine interactions should foster rapid progress in this field.