Zonula adherens
Zonula Adherens
Zonula adherens (pronunciation: /ˈzɒn.jʊ.lə ædˈhɪər.əns/), also known as adherens junctions, are a type of Cell junction that connects the Actin cytoskeleton of neighboring cells together in epithelial and endothelial tissues.
Etymology
The term "Zonula adherens" is derived from Latin, where "Zonula" means "small belt" and "adherens" means "sticking to". It is named so because of its belt-like appearance around the cell and its function in cell adhesion.
Function
Zonula adherens play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. They form a continuous adhesion belt around the cells, providing mechanical strength to the tissue. They also play a role in signal transduction, cell differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis.
Structure
The main components of Zonula adherens are Cadherin proteins, which are transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion. These proteins are linked to the actin cytoskeleton of the cell through Catenin proteins.
Related Terms
- Cell junction: A type of structure existing within the tissue of some multicellular organisms, such as animals.
- Actin cytoskeleton: A network of fibers in the cytoplasm that gives a cell its shape and helps it move.
- Cadherin: A type of protein found in cells that helps cells stick together.
- Catenin: A protein that links cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zonula adherens
- Wikipedia's article - Zonula adherens
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