STICKY SITUATIONS
These transmembrane proteins are calcium-dependent and facilitate homophilic cell-to-cell adhesion
CADHERINS
This fibrous protein is the major component of skin and bone and is the most abundant protein in the animal body
COLLAGEN
These junctions couple cells electrically and metabolically by allowing the passage of small water-soluble molecules
GAP JUNCTIONS
This type of collagen is the principal component of skin and bone, accounting for 90% of the body's collagen
TYPE 1 COLLAGEN
These junctions act as "fences" to prevent apical or basolateral proteins from diffusing into the wrong membrane region
TIGHT JUNCTIONS
This severe blistering disease of the skin is caused by antibodies attacking the body's own desmosomal proteins
PEMPHIGUS
This is the simplest GAG; it lacks sulfated sugars and acts as a massive space filler during embryonic developmen
HYALURONAN
This specialized form of ECM, also known as the basement membrane, separates epithelial cells from underlying connective tissue
BASAL LAMINA
These molecules consist of one or more GAG chains covalently linked to a core protein
PROTEOGLYCANS
This term describes how cells organize themselves based on the specific type and level of cadherins they express
CELL SORTING
In adherens junctions, this protein stretches from a folded to an extended conformation under tension to recruit more actin
ALPHA-CATENIN
This hydrophobic protein gives tissues like the aorta and lungs the ability to recoil after being stretched
ELASTIN
These proteins are the essential components for forming the sealing strands of tight junctions and determining ion selectivity
CLAUDINS
These molecules consist of one or more GAG chains covalently linked to a core protein
DECORIN
In connective tissues, this type of cell is responsible for secreting the macromolecules of the extracellular matrix
FIBROBLASTS
These cell-surface carbohydrate-binding proteins mediate the transient sticking of white blood cells to the endothelial lining of blood vessels
SELECTINS
These large, highly charged polysaccharides attract water to form hydrated gels that help the matrix resist compression
GAGS
Six of these transmembrane subunits assemble to form a connexon, or hemichannel
CONNEXINS
These extracellular enzymes, which require bound Ca2+ or Zn2+, are essential for cutting through the matrix during tissue repair
MATRIX METALLOPROTEASES
This GTPase promotes the formation of actin-myosin stress fibers
RHO
This tripeptide sequence found in fibronectin competes for integrin binding sites and is often found in snake venom
RGD SEQUENCE
Mutations in the fibrillin gene lead to this syndrome, famously associated with Abraham Lincoln's lanky physique and heart risks
MARFAN SYNDROME
This term describes the requirement that cells be attached to the ECM to survive; cancer cells often evolve to ignore this
ANCORAGE DEPENDENCE
This precursor molecule is cross-linked to others of its kind to form elastic fibers close to the plasma membrane
TROPOELASTIN
This large adaptor protein serves as a component of the linkage between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton
TALIN