Article Abstract:
Cell adhesion is required for the maintenance of the three-dimensional tissues of animals. It involves several complex mechanisms and requires cooperation from signaling events in the cell. Three general classes of proteins participate in cell adhesion: the adhesion molecules and adhesion receptors; the extracellular matrix; and, the cytoplasmic plaque or peripheral membrane proteins. Stable adhesion elements are required to ensure stable cell-cell contacts and to transduce signals effectively from one cell to another.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
The proteins required for mammalian fertilization are present in the egg zona pellucida (ZP) and sperm plasma membrane. The ZP3 protein is responsible for species-specific binding in mouse. The O-linked oligosaccharides on ZP3 are responsible for sperm binding and signaling needed for acrosome reaction. The beta-1,4 galactosyl transferase, a 56 kDa protein and the p95 tyrosine-phosphorylated protein function as ZP3 adhesion molecules on acrosome-intact mouse sperms. Integrins are also involved in sperm-egg binding.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Article Abstract:
The mechanisms that mediate axis formation in mammalian embryos were analyzed in mice to characterize the role of the fish Fused locus which encodes the axin inhibitor. Analysis of the fish Fu locus indicated the presence of a novel inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway that regulated an early the early stages of embryonic axis formation in fish. Furthermore, the expression of the axin protein inhibited dorsal axis formation via the Wnt signaling pathway.
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: