Nectin

Nectin is a family of cell adhesion molecules which are involved in a variety of cellular processes including cell migration, cell proliferation, and cell survival. Nectins are expressed in a variety of tissues and are involved in the formation of cell junctions, particularly adherens junctions and tight junctions.

Structure

Nectins are type I transmembrane proteins that consist of three immunoglobulin-like domains, a single transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular portion of the nectin molecule is responsible for mediating cell-cell adhesion, while the cytoplasmic tail interacts with intracellular cytoskeletal proteins.

Function

Nectins function as cell adhesion molecules, mediating cell-cell adhesion through homophilic and heterophilic interactions. These interactions are important for the formation and maintenance of cell junctions. In addition to their role in cell adhesion, nectins also play a role in cell signaling. They can interact with other proteins to activate signaling pathways that regulate cell migration, proliferation, and survival.

Clinical significance

Mutations in nectin genes have been associated with several human diseases. For example, mutations in the gene encoding nectin-1 have been linked to herpes simplex virus infection, as nectin-1 is a primary receptor for the virus. Mutations in the gene encoding nectin-4 have been associated with cancer, as overexpression of nectin-4 has been observed in several types of cancer.

See also

• Cell adhesion
• Cell junction
• Transmembrane protein