Cell adhesion molecules nectins and associating proteins: Implications for physiology and pathology

DOI Web Site Web Site 8 Citations 40 References
  • OGITA Hisakazu
    Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine
  • RIKITAKE Yoshiyuki
    Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Division of Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine
  • MIYOSHI Jun
    Department of Molecular Biology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases
  • TAKAI Yoshimi
    Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine

Search this article

Abstract

Nectins have recently been identified as new cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) consisting of four members. They show immunoglobulin-like structures and exclusively localize at adherens junctions (AJs) between two neighboring cells. During the formation of cell–cell junctions, nectins function in cooperation with or independently of cadherins, major CAMs at AJs. Similar to cadherins, which are linked to the actin cytoskeleton by binding to catenins, nectins also bind to afadin through their C-terminal region and are linked to the actin cytoskeleton. In addition to nectins, there are nectin-like molecules (Necls), which resemble nectins in their structures and consist of five members. Nectins and Necls are involved in the formation of various kinds of cell–cell adhesion, and also play key roles in diverse cellular functions including cell movement, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Thus, nectins and Necls are crucial for physiology and pathology of multicellular organisms.<BR><BR>(Communicated by Shigetada NAKANISHI, M.J.A.)

Journal

Citations (8)*help

See more

References(40)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top