Cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions: Adhesion structure, signalling and computational modeling

Abstract

Cadherins represent a large group (more than 100) of transmembrane cell surface glycoproteins that play central roles in tissue organization and morphogenesis by modulating cell-cell adhesions in a Ca++ dependent manner. In this chapter, we review the various types of cadherins, interacting partners of cadherins, the structure and assembly of cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions, force-sensitive nature of cadherin bonds, and the role of cadherins in cancer. Finally, we discuss about some of the different computational and mathematical approaches used to explore different aspects of cell-cell adhesions, and their relationship to cellular processes relevant to cancer.