MOLECULAR AND FUNCTIONAL-ANALYSIS OF CADHERIN-BASED ADHERENS JUNCTIONS

Adherens junctions are specialized forms of cadherin-based adhesive co ntacts important for tissue organization in developing and adult organ isms. Cadherins form protein complexes with cytoplasmic proteins (cate nins) that convert the specific, hemophilic-binding capacity of the ex tracellular domain into stable cell adhesion. The extracellular domain s of cadherins form parallel dimers that possess intrinsic hemophilic- binding activity. Cytoplasmic interactions can influence the function of the ectodomain by a number of potential mechanisms, including redis tribution of binding sites into clusters, providing cytoskeletal ancho rage, and mediating physiological regulation of cadherin function, Adh erens junctions are likely to serve specific, specialized functions be yond the basic adhesive process. These functions include coupling cyto skeletal force generation to strongly adherent sites on the cell surfa ce and the regulation of intracellular signaling events.