53 Questions
What is the common structural motif shared by proteins in the Ig superfamily?
Immunoglobulin fold
Which cellular processes are integrins involved in?
Cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation
What is the composition of integrins that form their structure?
Alpha and beta subunits
Which group of proteins plays a crucial role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion?
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)
Among the CAMs, which type of molecule is known for its role in calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion?
Cadherins
Which type of proteins are involved in cell adhesion, signaling, and immune responses within the Ig superfamily?
Ig superfamily proteins
Which adhesion molecules are involved in the initial steps of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation?
Selectins
What type of domain is responsible for carbohydrate recognition in selectins?
Lectin domain
Which type of cadherins form homophilic adhesions?
Classic cadherins
Which family of adhesion molecules plays a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion and is calcium-dependent?
Cadherins
What are integrins composed of?
α- and β-chains
Which group of proteins is essential for the proper development, modulation, and maintenance of interactions between cells and their environment?
Cadherins
What is the main role of integrins in cell adhesion?
Bind to a wide variety of ligands in the extracellular matrix
Which type of molecule is responsible for calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion?
Cadherins
Which adhesion molecule family plays a crucial role in immune cell recognition?
Ig superfamily proteins
In cell adhesion, which type of proteins cooperate with cadherins to establish adherens junctions?
Integrins
Which type of molecules play a crucial role in facilitating interactions between cells and their environment?
Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)
Which group of proteins in the Ig superfamily mediate cell-cell adhesion?
Intercellular Adhesion Molecules (ICAMs)
Which type of molecules can form homophilic or heterophilic interactions in various tissues?
Nectins
What type of transmembrane proteins are most members of the Ig superfamily?
Type I transmembrane proteins
Which adhesion molecules are responsible for providing information about the cell's environment?
Cadherins
Among the following, which molecules are known for their carbohydrate recognition ability in cell adhesion?
Selectins
What structural motif characterizes proteins in the Ig superfamily?
Ig fold
How do cell adhesion molecules contribute to tissue integrity?
Maintain tissue integrity and provide a structural framework for cellular functions.
What is the main role of integrins in cellular processes?
Cell migration, inflammation, and immunity.
Which type of adhesion molecules are involved in calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion?
Cadherins
What is the function of selectins in cell adhesion?
Selectins are involved in the initial steps of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation.
How do proteins in the Ig superfamily facilitate stable and specific protein-protein interactions?
Through the formation of two antiparallel beta-sheets that form a 'Y' shape.
Explain the difference between homophilic and heterophilic adhesion in the context of cell-cell interactions.
Homophilic adhesion is when cells of the same type bind to each other, while heterophilic adhesion is when cells of different types bind to each other.
How do integrins contribute to cell adhesion and migration?
Integrins mediate cell adhesion and migration by interacting with both cellular and extracellular matrix proteins.
What is the significance of the alpha subunit position 241 in integrins?
The alpha subunit position 241 determines the metal ion binding capability of integrins.
How do cadherins contribute to tissue integrity and mechanical strength?
Cadherins help maintain tissue integrity and provide mechanical strength by forming calcium-dependent adhesive junctions.
Explain the role of selectins in leukocyte adhesion and migration.
Selectins play a crucial role in leukocyte adhesion and subsequent migration, which is essential for immune responses.
Differentiate between classic cadherins, desmosomal cadherins, and protocadherins based on their structure and function.
Classic cadherins mediate homophilic adhesion, desmosomal cadherins are involved in cell-cell junctions, and protocadherins have diverse functions.
What distinguishes L-selectins, E-selectins, and P-selectins from each other in terms of function?
L-selectins, E-selectins, and P-selectins have specific roles in leukocyte adhesion and migration.
How do catenins contribute to the function of cadherins?
Catenins anchor cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton, providing mechanical strength to tissues.
Explain the cellular processes that integrins are involved in.
Integrins are involved in cell adhesion, migration, and signaling.
Describe the main structural feature of integrins that allows them to bind to ligands.
Integrins form heterodimers composed of alpha and beta subunits, enabling them to bind to different ligands.
What is the role of cadherins in cell-cell adhesion?
Forming homophilic adhesions
Which type of selectin is expressed on endothelial cells?
E-selectin
What structural feature characterizes integrins that allows them to bind to ligands?
Divalent cation dependency
Which molecule forms a rigid rod-like structure due to its ability to bind calcium ions?
Cadherins
What is the main function of selectins in cell adhesion?
Initiating leukocyte trafficking
What type of molecules are integrins composed of?
An alpha-chain and a beta-chain
Which family of adhesion molecules is stabilized by calcium ions?
Cadherins
What is the main role of selectins in cell-cell adhesion?
Mediating initial interactions with endothelial cells
Which type of integrin is commonly expressed by leukocytes?
Beta2-integrins
How do cadherins contribute to cell adhesion?
By mediating cell-cell adhesion
What is the role of integrins in cellular processes?
Integrins play a crucial role in cell adhesion, signaling, and immune responses.
Explain the role of cadherins in maintaining tissue integrity.
Cadherins contribute to tissue integrity and mechanical strength by mediating calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion.
Describe the main function of selectins in cell adhesion.
Selectins are involved in the initial steps of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation by mediating leukocyte adhesion and migration.
Differentiate between homophilic and heterophilic adhesion in the context of cell-cell interactions.
Homophilic adhesion refers to interactions between molecules of the same type, while heterophilic adhesion involves interactions between different types of molecules.
Explain the significance of the alpha subunit position 241 in integrins.
The alpha subunit position 241 in integrins is important for ligand binding and specificity.
Study Notes
Cell Adhesion Molecules: A Comprehensive Overview
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a diverse group of proteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. These molecules are essential for various cellular processes, including tissue development, homeostasis, and immune responses. In this article, we will delve into the different types of CAMs, focusing on the Ig superfamily, integrins, selectins, cadherins, and cell-cell adhesion.
Ig Superfamily
The Ig superfamily, also known as the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a large group of proteins that share a common structural motif known as the immunoglobulin fold. This fold is characterized by the presence of two or more immunoglobulin-like domains, which are composed of approximately 110 amino acids each. Members of the Ig superfamily play a variety of roles in cell adhesion and signaling, including cell-cell recognition, cell-matrix adhesion, and immune responses.
Integrins
Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-matrix adhesion. They are composed of an alpha and a beta subunit, which together form a heterodimeric structure. Integrins are involved in various cellular processes, including cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. They also play a crucial role in the development of tissues and organs, as well as in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis.
Selectins
Selectins are a family of adhesion molecules that are involved in the initial steps of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation. They are composed of an N-terminal lectin domain, which is responsible for carbohydrate recognition, and a C-terminal EGF-like domain, which is involved in cell-cell adhesion. Selectins mediate the rolling of leukocytes on the endothelial cell surface, a critical step in the process of leukocyte extravasation.
Cadherins
Cadherins are a family of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules that play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. They are classified into two major subfamilies: classical cadherins and non-classical cadherins. Classic cadherins are transmembrane proteins that form homophilic adhesions, while non-classical cadherins are either membrane-associated or cytoplasmic proteins that mediate adhesion through heterophilic interactions. Cadherins are involved in various cellular processes, including tissue development, cell migration, and cell-cell communication.
Cell-Cell Adhesion
Cell-cell adhesion is a critical process that occurs between adjacent cells, mediated by a variety of adhesion molecules. This process is essential for the formation of tissues and organs, as well as for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Cell-cell adhesion is also involved in various cellular processes, including cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Different types of adhesion molecules, such as cadherins, integrins, and selectins, contribute to cell-cell adhesion, depending on the specific cell types and cellular context.
In conclusion, cell adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. The Ig superfamily, integrins, selectins, cadherins, and cell-cell adhesion are important subtopics within the field of cell adhesion molecules, each contributing to our understanding of the diverse roles these molecules play in cellular physiology and pathophysiology.
Test your knowledge on cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) with this comprehensive quiz covering the Ig superfamily, integrins, selectins, cadherins, and cell-cell adhesion. Explore the roles of CAMs in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion, tissue development, homeostasis, and immune responses.
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