Yap A S, Brieher W M, Gumbiner B M
Cellular Biochemistry and Biophysics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 1997;13:119-46. doi: 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.13.1.119.
Adherens junctions are specialized forms of cadherin-based adhesive contacts important for tissue organization in developing and adult organisms. Cadherins form protein complexes with cytoplasmic proteins (catenins) that convert the specific, homophilic-binding capacity of the extracellular domain into stable cell adhesion. The extracellular domains of cadherins form parallel dimers that possess intrinsic homophilic-binding activity. Cytoplasmic interactions can influence the function of the ectodomain by a number of potential mechanisms, including redistribution of binding sites into clusters, providing cytoskeletal anchorage, and mediating physiological regulation of cadherin function. Adherens junctions are likely to serve specific, specialized functions beyond the basic adhesive process. These functions include coupling cytoskeletal force generation to strongly adherent sites on the cell surface and the regulation of intracellular signaling events.
黏着连接是基于钙黏蛋白的特殊黏附接触形式，对发育中和成体生物的组织构建非常重要。钙黏蛋白与细胞质蛋白（连环蛋白）形成蛋白质复合物，将细胞外结构域的特异性、同嗜性结合能力转化为稳定的细胞黏附。钙黏蛋白的细胞外结构域形成具有内在同嗜性结合活性的平行二聚体。细胞质相互作用可通过多种潜在机制影响胞外结构域的功能，包括将结合位点重新分布成簇、提供细胞骨架锚定以及介导钙黏蛋白功能的生理调节。黏着连接可能具有超出基本黏附过程的特定、专门功能。这些功能包括将细胞骨架力的产生与细胞表面的强黏附位点耦合以及调节细胞内信号事件。
