adherens junction

a component of the junctional complex just beneath and supporting the zonula occludens. The extracellular space at the adherens junction is spanned by the extracellular aspects of cadherin molecules, the intracellular aspects of which are supported by actin filaments.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Adherens Junction

A protein complex located at the junction between epithelial cells, which are subjected to stretching and pulling, yet require tight contact between them so they can function as a single unit. Adherens junctions are linked to the cell’s actin cytoskeleton, and take two forms: as bands encircling the cell—zonula adherens—or as “spot welds” to the extracellular matrix—adhesion plaques. Adherens junctions are composed of 4 principle proteins: cadherins and alpha-catenin, plakoglobulin (aka beta or gamma catenin) and p120 (aka delta catenin).

adherens junction

A point of junction between cells at which ACTIN filaments from inside the cells pass across the adjacent cell membranes. A broad, belt-like adherens junction is called an adhesion belt.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

The organization of adherens junctions and desmosomes at the cardiac intercalated disc is independent of gap junctions.

La Grelina Mejora las Estructuras Finas de los Granulos de Factor Natriuretico Atrial (ANF) y las Uniones Intercaladas de Disco en el Infarto de Miocardio Inducido Experimentalmente en Ratas

This study examined the relationship between inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-a, and IL-10) and adherens junctions (E-cadherin, p120-catenin), which were ameliorated by glutamine in VILI, both in vitro and in vivo.

Role of glutamine in the mediation of E-cadherin, p120-catenin and inflammation in ventilator-induced lung injury

The previous concept of BBB is a pure endothelial barrier of the brain, a physical barrier comprised of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) that limit paracellular diffusion of solutes between the blood and the brain [2, 3].

Function of Connexins in the Interaction between Glial and Vascular Cells in the Central Nervous System and Related Neurological Diseases

Phosphorylation of the Drosophila adherens junction protein Armadillo: roles for wingless signal and zeste-white 3 kinase.

Beta-catenin forms protein aggregation at high concentrations in HEK293TCells

In the results of pathway analysis, "Adherens junctions" and "Focal adhesion" pathways were the two main types of junction that were modified by ISA adjuvants, which are known to mediate adhesion in epithelial cells (Yeatman, 2004).

Identification of molecular signatures from different vaccine adjuvants in chicken by integrative analysis of microarray data

Several junctional complexes, including adherens junctions and tight junctions, participate in this process [6].

Knockdown of zebrafish blood vessel epicardial substance results in incomplete retinal lamination

Stimulation of ICAM-1 leads to phosphorylation of VE-cadherin, which is a prerequisite for adherens junction disassembly.

Dephosphorylation of Y685-VE-Cadherin Involved in Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Barrier Injury Induced by Angiotensin II

Molecular components of the adherens junction. Biochem.

The effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 on the tight junction and barrier function in IPEC-J2 cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway