CELL JUNCTION

Introduction
Multicellular organisms combine cells into tissues.

Extracellular matrix is a complex network of

macromolecules (proteins, glycosaminoglycans,
proteoglycans) secreted by cells

Specialized ECMs include connective tissue, basal

lamina, exoskeletons, cartilage/bones,

Tissues are formed from cell-cell connections and

cell-matrix connections.
cells organized into tissues with the help of

I. Cell junctions
-tight junctions, adherans junctions, desmosomes,
focal adhesions, hemidesmosomes, gap junctions

II. Extracellular matrix proteins

-types of ECM macromolecules
-hyaluronan, aggrecan, collagen, fibronectin
 Dense cluster of CAMs is called cell junctions

provide contact between neighbouring cells or between

a cell and the extracellular matrix

build up the paracellular barrier of epithelia and

control the paracellular transport.

abundant in epithelial tissues.

 Cell junction based on location
Between cells

1) Tight junction

2) Adherense junction

3) Desmosomes

4) Gap junctions

Between cell and matrix

1) Hemidesmosome
 Cell junctions based on function
Three types of cell junctions:
1. Occluding junctions: seal cells together into sheets
(forming an impermeable barrier)

2. Anchoring junctions: attach cells (and their

cytoskeleton) to other cells or extracellular matrix (providing
mechanical support)

3. Communicating junctions: allow exchange of

chemical/electrical information between cells
 A Functional Classification of Cell Junctions

OCCLUDING JUNCTIONS
1. tight junctions (vertebrates only)

2. septate junctions (invertebrates mainly)

ANCHORING JUNCTIONS
Actin filament attachment sites
1. cell-cell junctions (adherens junctions)

2. cell-matrix junctions (focal adhesions)

Intermediate filament attachment sites

1. cell-cell junctions (desmosomes)

2. cell-matrix junctions (hemidesmosomes)

COMMUNICATING JUNCTIONS
1. gap junctions
2. chemical synapses
3. plasmodesmata (plants only)
 Tight junctions
Important for the functioning of epithelial cells as barriers

Forms seal between cells and epithelial sheets

Prevent free diffusion of lipids and proteins

Closest known contacts between adjacent cells

Frame work of proteins CLAUDIN ,OCCLUDIN and

JUNCTION ADHESION MOLECULES ( JAM)

They bind specifically to the same protein on other cell

 Cytosolic tail of these protein will intract with actin of

cytoskelton

Nectins are other set of protein which recruit claudins

to initiate tight junction

 Adherens junction

Zonula adherens or intermediate junction

Holds cells tightly together

Confer mechanical strength

Seen just below to tight junction

Not contain any channel

Homophilic pairing of E cadherins

Cytoplasmic face linked to actin

Proteins involved are cadherins, catenin and

plakoglobin
 Desmosomes
Intracellular junctions of cardiac and epithelial cells

Gives strength and rigidity to cells

Made up of transmembrane proteins desmoglein and

desmocolin of cadherin family

Adaptor proteins are plakoglobin and desmoplakin

Linked to epidermal keratin

 Gap junction
Open channels through Plasma membrane
Passes small molecules and ions
Prevent passage of nucleic acids and proteins
Couple metabolic activities and electric
responses of cells they connect
Most cells communicate using this
Passage of intracellular signalling molecules
eg:- cAMP
 Made up of protein called connexin
21 different connexin in human
Collection of connexin called connexon
Interaction occur between connexons forming
an open channel between 2 cytoplasm
PM is separated by a gap hence the name
Important in electrical synapse
 Hemidesmosome
Similar to desmosomes
Different molecular structure
Cell matrix adhesion
Attach cell to basal lamina
Composed of integrins
Cytosolic side consists of a plaque made up of
protein plectin that attach integrins to keratin
filament