Transformation of transient cell-to- cell contacts into stable functional contacts is a process required for several cellular functions, including cell migration, recognition, and cell-to- cell communication. It is accompanied by significant changes in the molecular composition and structure of these contacts.
Transient contacts are stabilized by cell adhesion molecules. The extracellular domains of the various families of these cell surface glycoproteins mediate cellular interactions by forming homophilic and heterophilic adhesive bonds with cell adhesion molecules on other cells or with the components of the extracellular matrix. In addition, their intracellular domains interact with the cytoskeleton components, which accumulate at the contacts and transform, maintain and regulate the contact structure. The interaction between cell adhesion molecules and the cytoskeleton is bidirectional. Cell adhesion molecules modulate the cytoskeleton by acting through various enzymes, whereas the cytoskeleton regulates levels of the cell adhesion molecules at the contacts.
The aim of this Research Topic is to cover the molecular mechanisms involved in remodelling of cell adhesion and the cytoskeleton during cell-to- cell contact formation, maturation and maintenance including the assembly of the macromolecular complexes at the contact sites, activation of the signalling across the cell surface membrane, cytoskeleton remodelling and gene expression modulation. The scope of the Research Topic in regards to cellular systems will be broad, to encompass different biological processes, such as regulation of epithelial organization, wound healing, neuronal synapses or immunological synapses
Transformation of transient cell-to- cell contacts into stable functional contacts is a process required for several cellular functions, including cell migration, recognition, and cell-to- cell communication. It is accompanied by significant changes in the molecular composition and structure of these contacts.
Transient contacts are stabilized by cell adhesion molecules. The extracellular domains of the various families of these cell surface glycoproteins mediate cellular interactions by forming homophilic and heterophilic adhesive bonds with cell adhesion molecules on other cells or with the components of the extracellular matrix. In addition, their intracellular domains interact with the cytoskeleton components, which accumulate at the contacts and transform, maintain and regulate the contact structure. The interaction between cell adhesion molecules and the cytoskeleton is bidirectional. Cell adhesion molecules modulate the cytoskeleton by acting through various enzymes, whereas the cytoskeleton regulates levels of the cell adhesion molecules at the contacts.
The aim of this Research Topic is to cover the molecular mechanisms involved in remodelling of cell adhesion and the cytoskeleton during cell-to- cell contact formation, maturation and maintenance including the assembly of the macromolecular complexes at the contact sites, activation of the signalling across the cell surface membrane, cytoskeleton remodelling and gene expression modulation. The scope of the Research Topic in regards to cellular systems will be broad, to encompass different biological processes, such as regulation of epithelial organization, wound healing, neuronal synapses or immunological synapses