The cadherin superfamily: diversity in form and function

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.D. Angst ◽  
C. Marcozzi ◽  
A.I. Magee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Signalling ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Recognition ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Desmosomal Cadherins ◽  
Extracellular Region ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cadherin Superfamily

Over recent years cadherins have emerged as a growing superfamily of molecules, and a complex picture of their structure and their biological functions is becoming apparent. Variation in their extracellular region leads to the large potential for recognition properties of this superfamily. This is demonstrated strikingly by the recently discovered FYN-binding CNR-protocadherins; these exhibit alternative expression of the extracellular portion, which could lead to distinct cell recognition in different neuronal populations, whereas their cytoplasmic part, and therefore intracellular interactions, is constant. Diversity in the cytoplasmic moiety of the cadherins imparts specificity to their interactions with cytoplasmic components; for example, classical cadherins interact with catenins and the actin filament network, desmosomal cadherins interact with catenins and the intermediate filament system and CNR-cadherins interact with the SRC-family kinase FYN. Recent evidence suggests that CNR-cadherins, 7TM-cadherins and T-cadherin, which is tethered to the membrane by a GPI anchor, all localise to lipid rafts, specialised cell membrane domains rich in signalling molecules. Originally thought of as cell adhesion molecules, cadherin superfamily molecules are now known to be involved in many biological processes, such as cell recognition, cell signalling, cell communication, morphogenesis, angiogenesis and possibly even neurotransmission.

scholarly journals Signal transduction, cell division, differentiation and development: towards unifying mechanisms for pattern formation in plants

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Carnier Dornelas
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Pattern Formation ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Molecular Control ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Plant Signal Transduction ◽  
Model Plant Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Plant Form ◽  
And Function

The elaboration of plant form and function depends on the ability of a plant cell to divide and differentiate. The decisions of individual cells to enter the cell cycle, maintain proliferation competence, become quiescent, expand, differentiate, or die depend on cell-to-cell communication and on the perception of various signals. These signals can include hormones, nutrients, light, temperature, and internal positional and developmental cues. In recent years, progress has been made in understanding the molecular control of plant pattern formation, especially in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, specific genes have been found that are necessary for normal pattern formation and the control of the rates of cell division and differentiation. Cloning of these genes is revealing the molecular basis of plant pattern formation and the key players on plant signal transduction systems.

Introduction

1996 ◽  
Vol 351 (1336) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Body Form ◽  
Multicellular Eukaryote ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Extracellular Signalling

The environments of multicellular eukaryote organisms, including mammals, contain an extraordinary variety of extracellular signalling molecules that regulate body form and function by orchestrating cell and tissue growth, cell differentiation and the behaviour of mature cells. To control themselves properly, eukaryote cells must mount correct responses to this abundance of external chemical influences. How much of their genome of ~ 10 5 genes they commit to this task remains uncertain, but it must be substantial: maybe ~ 10 4 genes in a mammal?

scholarly journals Formen und Funktionen von Interrogationen. Fragen in grammatischen Beschreibungen, empirischen Befunden und Lehrwerken für Deutsch als Fremdsprache

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Rost-Roth
Keyword(s):  
Word Order ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
And Function ◽  
Empirical Analyses

Analysis of how questions are treated in grammar books shows that the main focus is on word order phenomena. At the same time, statements are often made about functions or the rela-tionship between form and function; these are not always consistent with more systematic approaches or with empirical findings. Empirical analyses of spoken language reveal a very complex picture; comparison of the question realizations of native speakers and non-native speakers shows that the questions produced by non-native speakers are limited in various re-spects. Moreover, analysis of textbooks shows that some relationships between form and function are underrepresented.

Analysing metaphor in the family register through scripted sitcom conversations

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-269
Author(s):  
Hanna Skorczynska ◽  
Rosa Giménez-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
The Family ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
Metaphor Use ◽  
And Function

Abstract This study looks into the patterns of metaphor use in the family register of scripted sitcom conversations. Previous studies of metaphor in conversation adopted different approaches to the concept of register, resulting in a rich but complex picture (Cameron, 2003, 2007, 2008; Deignan, Littlemore & Semino, 2013; Kaal, 2012). This research attempts to reduce such complexity by using an approach to register based on closely defining communicative settings and the participants’ roles (Giménez-Moreno, 2006). In this way, we were able to focus on the register used by family members and close friends and the contexts of private oral communication, as opposed to other possible registers characteristic of professional conversations or those between friends. The study provides data on the frequency, typology, grammatical form and function of the metaphors used in the fictional dialogues between family members and close friends from two British sitcoms, “Gavin & Stacey” and “The Royle Family”. The findings, in general, confirm the patterns of metaphor use in naturally-occurring (UK) conversation, but show lower frequency ranges than other more purpose-oriented contexts. The main contribution of this study is the evaluation of metaphor as an ‘appraisal resource’ (Martin & White, 2005) and its frequent use in assessing the participants’ attitudes. The study suggests that defining register in terms of communicative setting and participants’ roles can help to provide comparable data on metaphor variation.

scholarly journals Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants and Skeletal Muscle Function

Antioxidants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie C. Broome ◽  
Jonathan S. T. Woodhead ◽  
Troy L. Merry
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Cell Signalling ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Function ◽  
Very High ◽  
Mitochondrial Capacity

One of the main sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skeletal muscle is the mitochondria. Prolonged or very high ROS exposure causes oxidative damage, which can be deleterious to muscle function, and as such, there is growing interest in targeting antioxidants to the mitochondria in an effort to prevent or treat muscle dysfunction and damage associated with disease and injury. Paradoxically, however, ROS also act as important signalling molecules in controlling cellular homeostasis, and therefore caution must be taken when supplementing with antioxidants. It is possible that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants may limit oxidative stress without suppressing ROS from non-mitochondrial sources that might be important for cell signalling. Therefore, in this review, we summarise literature relating to the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants on skeletal muscle function. Overall, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants appear to exert beneficial effects on mitochondrial capacity and function, insulin sensitivity and age-related declines in muscle function. However, it seems that this is dependent on the type of mitochondrial-trageted antioxidant employed, and its specific mechanism of action, rather than simply targeting to the mitochondria.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of DNA and RNA

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 34-35
Author(s):  
Patricia G. Arscott ◽  
Gil Lee ◽  
Victor A. Bloomfield ◽  
D. Fennell Evans
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Resolving Power ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Calf Thymus ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Relationship

STM is one of the most promising techniques available for visualizing the fine details of biomolecular structure. It has been used to map the surface topography of inorganic materials in atomic dimensions, and thus has the resolving power not only to determine the conformation of small molecules but to distinguish site-specific features within a molecule. That level of detail is of critical importance in understanding the relationship between form and function in biological systems. The size, shape, and accessibility of molecular structures can be determined much more accurately by STM than by electron microscopy since no staining, shadowing or labeling with heavy metals is required, and there is no exposure to damaging radiation by electrons. Crystallography and most other physical techniques do not give information about individual molecules.We have obtained striking images of DNA and RNA, using calf thymus DNA and two synthetic polynucleotides, poly(dG-me5dC)·poly(dG-me5dC) and poly(rA)·poly(rU).

Caveolin-1, galectin-3 and lipid raft domains in cancer cell signalling

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 189-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Shankar ◽  
Cecile Boscher ◽  
Ivan R. Nabi
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Cell Signalling ◽  
Coated Pits ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Raft Domains

Spatial organization of the plasma membrane is an essential feature of the cellular response to external stimuli. Receptor organization at the cell surface mediates transmission of extracellular stimuli to intracellular signalling molecules and effectors that impact various cellular processes including cell differentiation, metabolism, growth, migration and apoptosis. Membrane domains include morphologically distinct plasma membrane invaginations such as clathrin-coated pits and caveolae, but also less well-defined domains such as lipid rafts and the galectin lattice. In the present chapter, we will discuss interaction between caveolae, lipid rafts and the galectin lattice in the control of cancer cell signalling.

Plant peptide hormone signalling

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 115-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayane Motomitsu ◽  
Shinichiro Sawa ◽  
Takashi Ishida
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Peptide Hormones ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Environmental Responses ◽  
Plant Life Cycle ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

The ligand–receptor-based cell-to-cell communication system is one of the most important molecular bases for the establishment of complex multicellular organisms. Plants have evolved highly complex intercellular communication systems. Historical studies have identified several molecules, designated phytohormones, that function in these processes. Recent advances in molecular biological analyses have identified phytohormone receptors and signalling mediators, and have led to the discovery of numerous peptide-based signalling molecules. Subsequent analyses have revealed the involvement in and contribution of these peptides to multiple aspects of the plant life cycle, including development and environmental responses, similar to the functions of canonical phytohormones. On the basis of this knowledge, the view that these peptide hormones are pivotal regulators in plants is becoming increasingly accepted. Peptide hormones are transcribed from the genome and translated into peptides. However, these peptides generally undergo further post-translational modifications to enable them to exert their function. Peptide hormones are expressed in and secreted from specific cells or tissues. Apoplastic peptides are perceived by specialized receptors that are located at the surface of target cells. Peptide hormone–receptor complexes activate intracellular signalling through downstream molecules, including kinases and transcription factors, which then trigger cellular events. In this chapter we provide a comprehensive summary of the biological functions of peptide hormones, focusing on how they mature and the ways in which they modulate plant functions.

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