Regulation of small GTPases at epithelial cell-cell junctions.
http://www.molbio.unige.ch –
Small GTPases of the Rho family (RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42) and the Ras family GTPase Rap1 are essential for the assembly and function of epithelial cell-cell junctions. Through their downstream effectors, small GTPases modulate junction formation and stability, primarily by orchestrating the polymerization and contractility of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. The major upstream regulators of small GTPases are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Read more »
Category: Adherens Junctions Tags:
Control of polarized cell morphology and motility by adherens junctions.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –
Cell-cell interactions play a key role in tissue homeostasis. Intercellular adhesions share the complex task of establishing and maintaining tissue architecture while allowing tissue growth, renewal and repair. In particular, adherens junctions (AJs) have been implicated in the formation of diverse tissues and organs like epitheliums, blood vessels or the central nervous system. At the cellular level, AJs are well known for their essential role in epithelial cell differentiation and baso-apical polarity. Read more »
Category: Adherens Junctions Tags:
Cell-cell connectivity: desmosomes and disease.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –
Cell-cell connectivity is an absolute requirement for the correct functioning of cells, tissues and entire organisms. At the level of the individual cell, direct cell-cell adherence and communication is mediated by the intercellular junction complexes: desmosomes, adherens, tight and gap junctions. A broad spectrum of inherited, infectious and auto-immune diseases can affect the proper function of intercellular junctions and result in either diseases affecting specific individual tissues or widespread syndromic conditions. Read more »
Category: Adherens Junctions Tags:
Finite-Element Analysis of the Adhesion-Cytoskeleton-Nucleus Mechanotransduction Pathway During Endothelial Cell Rounding: Axisymmetric Model
http://www.seas.upenn.edu –
Endothelial cells possess a mechanical network connecting adhesions on the basal surface,
the cytoskeleton, and the nucleus. Transmission of force at adhesions via this pathway
can deform the nucleus, ultimately resulting in an alteration of gene expression and
other cellular changes (mechanotransduction). Previously, we measured cell adhesion
area and apparent nuclear stretch during endothelial cell rounding. Here, we reconstruct
the stress map of the nucleus from the observed strains using finite-element modeling. To Read more »
Year of publication:
2005
Journal name:
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Category: Adherens Junctions Tags:
Nitric oxide and cyclic nucleotides: Their roles in junction dynamics and spermatogenesis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –
Spermatogenesis is a highly complicated process in which functional spermatozoa (haploid, 1n) are generated from primitive mitotic spermatogonia (diploid, 2n). This process involves the differentiation and transformation of several types of germ cells as spermatocytes and spermatids undergo meiosis and differentiation. Due to its sophistication and complexity, testis possesses intrinsic mechanisms to modulate and regulate different stages of germ cell development under the intimate and indirect cooperation with Sertoli and Leydig cells, respectively. Read more »
Year of publication:
2008
Journal name:
Landes Bioscience