Cell Junctions
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What are cell junctions( 1wt)
Cell junction is the connection between the neighbouring cells or the contact between the cell and ECM
• Also called membrane junction provide contact or adhesion between cells
• Abundant in epithelial cells
• They are important in enabling communication between cells
• In plants similar communication channels are known as Plasmodesmata, in fungi
they are called as Septal pores
• Regulate tissue homeostasis in critical cell process such as cell proliferation and
migration
• Defects in cell cell junction give rise to wide range of tissue abnormalities that
disrupt homeostasis
E.g. Mutation in the gene that encode gap junction proteins leads conditions like
skin disorders, heart disease, epilepsy and deafness
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- List out different types of cell junctions (1wt)
- Explain cell junction and major types ( 2wt)
-Compare the structure functions of different types of cell junctions ( 5wt)
Types of cell junctions
1. Tight junctions
2. Anchoring junctions
(a) Adhering junctions
(b) Desmosome
(c) Hemi desmosome
3. Gap junctions
-Write a short note on tight junction ( 1 wt)
- Give detailed structure and physiological role of tight junctions( 2wt)
- Illustrate difference between desmosomes and tight junctions (2 wt)
• Tight junction
• They also called zonula occludens or occluding junctions
• They are characterized by forming an adhesion complex b/w neighbouring cells
• Serving as a tight seal b/w the cells
• Located at very end of junctional complex between adjacent epithelium
• Not just as a barrier but also site for
- vesicles targeting
- signal controlling
- proliferation
- Transcription
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• They prevent leakage of content and control paracellular transport between cells
• Control movement of solute, liquid based on charge, size
• It made up of a network of sealing strands
• More strands=less permeability
• The strands are made up of transmembrane proteins
• Approximately 40 junctional proteins are involved in tight junction
• there are 3 major transmembrane tight junction protein
a.Occludins
• Size is around ∼ 60-65 kDa
• N and C terminal are intracellular
• It has 4 transmembrane domains
• Regulate cellular permeability
b.Junctional adhesion molecules (JAM) proteins
• Size ∼ 40kDA , possess only 1 transmembrane domain
• Regulate size specificity in permeation of material
what are claudins (1 wt)
c.claudins
• Consists of around 27 proteins having size ∼ 20kDa
• They are the backbone of strands of tight junction
• Can be differentiated from occludins by the presence of W-GLW-C-C residue
• Responsible for charge specificity in the permeation of material
• It span cellular membrane 4 times
• Have N and C terminal on cytoplasmic side
• Also 2 extracellular loop
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Structure of claudins
Functions of tight junctions
1.They hold cells together
2.Function as a protective barrier
3.Helps to maintain the polarity of cells by preventing lateral diffusion of integral
membrane proteins
4. Prevent the passage of molecules and ions through the space between plasma
membrane of adjacent molecules
5.Involved in cell signaling
6.Maintain cell polarity
Anchoring junctions
• Connect the Cytoskeleton of a Cell Either to the Cytoskeleton of Its Neighbors or to the
Extracellular Matrix
- Briefly explain adherens junction ( 1wt)
- Give a note on structure and functions of adherens junction (2 wt)
(a)Adherens junctions
• Also called zonula adherens/intermediate junction / belt desmosome
• Hold epithelial and endothelial cells together
• They uniquely dissemble in uterine epithelial cells to allow the blastocyte to penetrate b/w
epithelial cells
• Composed of following proteins
- cadherins
- p120(δ catenin) binds to the juxta membrane region of cadherins
- γ catenin bindsto the catnin binding region of cadherin
- α catenin links actin cytoskeleton with cadherin
• Adherens are continuously assembled and dissembled allowing cells within a
tissue to respond to forces, biochemical signals etc
What are cadherin molecules ( 1 wt)
Cadherins
• They are large family of glycoproteins
• Mediate Ca2+ dependent cell adhesion, transmit signals from ECM to cytoplasm
• Typically join cell of similar type
• They are extremely important in the process of morphogenesis
• Important in forming adherence junction
Structure :
• Synthesized as polypeptide having 720-750 amino acids long
• Have C terminal cytoplasmic component, transmembrane segment and remain bulk of
protein is extracellular
• Types: E(epithelial), N(Neural ) and P(placenta) cadherin
Function : Behave both as ligand and receptor mediate cell cell adhesion, regulate contact
formation and stability, play critical role in tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis
Functions of adherens junction
• Facilitate the adhesion of homologous cells
• It is the junction between the layers of myelin sheath
• Create an elastic connection b/w epithelial cells
• It stabilize the surface of epithelia
• Hold epithelial and endothelial cells together- resist stress
• Maintain structural integrity of the tissue
• Maintain tissue homeostasis and regulate penetration of epithelial
and endothelial cells
• Facilitates signal transduction and intercellular communication
• Give cells rigidity ,provide strong mechanical attachment b/w cells
-What are desmosomes(1 wt)
-Give a note on structure and physiological importance of desmosomes(2wt)
(b)Desmosomes
• Also called maculae adherens
• They are disk shaped adhesive junctions having 1 μm in diameter
• Seen in tissues that experience mechanical stress, such as
the myocardium, bladder, gastrointestinal mucosa, and skin
• It contain cadherin that link 2 cells
• it is a complex of proteins bearing a disk-shaped structure from which protein fibers extend into the cytoplasm
• On the extracellular side cadherin
involved in Ca dependent adhesion
• On the cytoplasmic side
cadherins are indirectly linked to
intermediate filament
Functions of desmosomes
• Specialized for strong adhesion
• They have signaling function that are important in remodeling and tissue
development
• Provide connection between intermediate filaments ofcell cytoskeleton of adjacent
cells
• Involves in mediating the cell signaling pathways
• Play an important role in tissue morphogenesis
• Involved in tissue development and differentiation
• They resist shearing and prevent cells coming apart when pressure is applied
(c)Hemidesmosomes
• Multiprotein complex that facilitate stable adhesion of basel epithelial cells to
underlying cells
• A small stud like structure
• Major adhesion molecule of hemidesmosome: α6β4
• categorized into two types based on their protein constituents.
Type1 found in stratified and pseudo-stratified epithelium. have five elements:
integrin α6β4, plectin , tetraspanin protein CD151, BPAG1e, BPAG2
Type 2 integrin α6β4 and plectin
give detailed structure and physiological role of tight junctions( 2wt)
• Gap junctions
• Specialized for intercellular communication
• Permit direct cell-cell transfer of ions and small molecules
• Have simple molecular composition they composed of integral membrane protein
called connexons
• Each connexons composed of 6 connexin subunit
Define connexons (1 wt)
connexons
• Also known as connexin hemichannel
• This channel allow bidirectional flow of ions and signaling molecules
• Connexons made of same connexins: homomeric other wise heteromeric
• Connexons are permeable to 2nd messengers, aminoacids, nucleotides and glucose
• They are voltage sensitive
Functions of connexons
• play role in conditions such as epilepsy, inflammation, neuro degeneration
Loss of connexins or the existence of mutation affecting their normal functions has
been implicated in variety of disease and disorders including cancer
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Functions of gap junctions
1.Facilitte direct transfer of molecules b/w cells
2.Allow free diffusion of molecules(1200 Da in size)
3.Found in electrical synapses allow exchange of chemical messenger b/w cells
4.When a cells start to die from disease or injury, it sends out signals through gap
junction
5.Stop substance from leaking across a tissue
6.Involved in regulation of
- tissue homeostasis
- cell growth
- embryonic development
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