DEV2011 Lecture Notes - Cell Adhesion, Cell Adhesion Molecule, Signal Transduction
Document Summary
Cell migration is a central process in the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Tissue formation during embryonic development, wound healing and immune responses all require the orchestrated movement of cells in particular directions to specific locations. Errors during this process have serious consequences, including mental retardation, vascular disease, tumor formation and metastasis. Cells often migrate in response to specific external signals, including chemical signals and mechanical signals. Due to the highly viscous environment, cells need to permanently produce forces in order to move. Cell adhesion is the binding of a cell to a surface, such as an extracellular matrix or another cell, using cell adhesion molecules like selectins, integrins, or cadherins. [1] cellular adhesion is essential in maintaining multicellular structure. Cellular adhesion can link the cytoplasm of cells and can be involved in signal transduction.
