cell adhesion molecule
Quick Summary
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are proteins on the surface of cells that enable them to recognize and stick to each other and the extracellular matrix. This recognition and adhesion are crucial for the development of multicellular organisms, allowing cells to form specialized tissues and function in a coordinated manner.12
In vertebrates, CAMs play a role in sorting cells according to tissue type during embryonic development. While CAMs facilitate initial recognition, more permanent adhesion between cells is achieved through cell junctions, such as desmosomes, tight junctions, and gap junctions.13
The loss of cellular adhesion, including a shortage of molecules like E-cadherin, is an early step in cancer invasion. Cancer cells must detach from neighboring cells and break through surrounding tissues to spread.4
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