Biochemistry 3381A Lecture Notes - Vinculin, Osteoarthritis, Fibronectin
17 Sep 2014
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Document Summary
The ecm is a complex meshwork of proteins and polysaccharides that are secreted by cells into the spaces that surround them. From the different tissue types, the most different with regards to the cellular component versus the matrix component is connective type tissues versus epithelial type tissues. Cell-matrix interactions are important to allow cells to adhere into distinct tissue types. In addition, these interactions of cells and their surrounding environment are important for bidirectional transfer of information. Anchoring junctions connect cells to the extracellular matrix: focal adhesions, hemidesmosomes. Both junction types then connect to the cytoskeleton on the interior of the cell. The anchors are formed via proteins from the integrin family (on the extracellular side of the cell) and are connected to either the actin filaments (focal adhesions) or to the intermediate filaments (hemidesmosomes). Cell adhesion molecules are just one component of the protein machinery required to make appropriate cell-matrix adhesions.
