What are anchoring junctions?
Cells adhere to the ECM, or to other cells, via complexes that can collectively be called anchoring junctions (reviewed in [1][2]). These multiprotein complexes are found in all cell types where they they stabilize the cells position, provide stability and rigidity, and support tissue integrity by holding cell sheets together. Anchoring junctions also form a tight seal between neighboring cells to restrict the flow of molecules between cells and from one side of the tissue to the other. Lastly, anchoring junctions regulate the motility of both single cells and cellular masses through their substrates. These anchor points are highly dynamic, primarily associated with actin filaments, and come in many different forms.
Actin filaments are shown in red, microtubules are yellow, and intermediate filaments are blue. Transmembrane complexes (solid ovals) contain several different components that play a key role in linking the cell exterior to the cell interior. Cell-cell adhesion: Numerous cell-cell adhesion molecules (e.g. cadherin family of proteins) and their associated cytoplasmic anchoring components (e.g. vinculin, α-actinin) form a continuum between cells and their linked cytoskeleton components. Adherens junctions (shown as a solid red oval) primarily link actin filaments between cells, while desmosomes (shown as a solid dark-blue oval) primarily link the intermediate filaments between cells. Cell-matrix adhesion: Interactions at CMACs and hemidesmosomes (shown as a solid light-blue oval) link the actin and intermediate filaments to the underlying matrix, respectively. Cell-matrix linkages are a key force-sensing unit that greatly influences cell polarity and migration
Types and features of anchoring junctions
Several types of anchoring junctions have been identified with each involved in distinct types of adhesion.
There are four main types of anchoring junctions:
- Adherens junctions link one cell to another cell through the actin filament network. These are found in many different cell types.
- Desmosomes link one cell to another cell through intermediate filaments. They are also found in many different types of cells.
- Hemidesmosomes link cells to the matrix through intermediate filaments. Certain hemidesmosome components also bind to F-actin (e.g. plectin [3]). Hemidesmosomes appear to be restricted to epithelial cells.
- Cell-matrix adhesion complexes (CMACs) link cells to the extracellular matrix through actin filaments. Although they are found in many different cell types, they are particularly important for regulating cell migration in motile cells.
There are three main features of anchoring junctions:
- Transmembrane cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) and/or adhesion receptors in the plasma membrane link the lateral surfaces of one cell to another or the basal surfaces of the cell to the ECM. Examples of adhesion receptors include cadherins (cell-cell adhesions), integrins and syndecans (cell-ECM adhesions).
- Adaptor proteins connect the adhesion molecules to the cytoskeleton and signaling molecules. Examples include catenins, talin, filamin, tensin, vinculin, and α-actinin.
- The cytoskeleton itself helps to maintain the cell shape and acts as a force-sensing device (aka mechanosensor).
References
- Lock JG, Wehrle-Haller B, and Strömblad S. Cell-matrix adhesion complexes: master control machinery of cell migration. Semin. Cancer Biol. 2007; 18(1):65-76. [PMID: 18023204]
- Takahashi N, Hiyama K, Kodaira M, and Satoh C. The length polymorphism in the 5′ flanking region of the human beta-globin gene with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in a Japanese population. Hum. Genet. 1991; 87(2):219-20. [PMID: 2066111]
- Svitkina TM, Verkhovsky AB, and Borisy GG. Plectin sidearms mediate interaction of intermediate filaments with microtubules and other components of the cytoskeleton. J. Cell Biol. 1996; 135(4):991-1007. [PMID: 8922382]
