Extracellular matrix
collagen

fibrillar collagen
network-forming collagen (= sheet-forming)
fibril-associated collagen
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

hyaluronans (= hyaluronic acid)
heparan sulfate
hydrated GAG gels:
highly swollen high hydrostatic pressure
proteoglycan: core protein + GAG chain(s)
decorin - 40 kd
aggrecan - 360 kd core + 130 GAGs = 3 Md
proteoglycan aggregates
example: aggrecan aggregates in cartilage
fibronectin (Fn)
integrins
focal adhesion kinase (FAK) - tyrosine kinase associated with some integrins
alpha chain and beta chain

basal lamina
"basement membrane" = composite of:
basal lamina + underlying reticular collagen fibers

network-forming collagens = sheet-forming collagens
type IV collagen - basal lamina


laminin (Ln)
perlecan (heparan sulfate proteoglycan)
nidogen

heterophilic vs homophilic

Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)
Selectins (bind carbohydrate)
Immunoglobulin family proteins
cadherins: Ca-dependent CAMs
beta catenin
cytoskeleton binding proteins

Next wordlist

Return to Cell Biology Homepage