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Cadherins and tissue formation: integrating adhesion and signaling
Author(s) -
Vleminckx Kris,
Kemler Rolf
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-1878(199903)21:3<211::aid-bies5>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - cadherin , microbiology and biotechnology , cell adhesion molecule , cell adhesion , extracellular matrix , nectin , adhesion , cell signaling , cell–cell interaction , cytoplasm , biology , cytoskeleton , cell , morphogenesis , signal transduction , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , gene
Cadherins and other cell–substrate and cell–cell adhesion molecules play an essential role during development. Through their cytoplasmic interaction with the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion molecules physically link cells with the extracellular matrix and/or with each other. These interactions create architectural and structural entities that enable the tissues in the embryo to restrain the physical forces encountered during development. Regulated cell adhesion is also often the driving force of morphogenetic movements. This review goes beyond the adhesive aspect of cadherins, focusing on their roles as signaling molecules in development. We discuss how cadherins, through their effects on cell proliferation, cell death, cell polarization, and differentiation, play a role in the formation of tissues and organs in the developing embryo. BioEssays 21:211–220, 1999. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.