developmental roles of the extracellular matrix: beyond structure to regulation

Cells in multicellular organisms are surrounded by a complex three-dimensional macromolecular extracellular matrix (ECM). This matrix, traditionally thought to serve a structural function providing support and strength to cells within tissues, is increasingly being recognized as having pleiotropic e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2010, Vol.339 (1), p.93-110
Main Authors: Tsang, Kwok Yeung, Cheung, Martin C. H, Chan, Danny, Cheah, Kathryn S. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cell Adhesion - physiology
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Cell Movement - physiology
Cell Proliferation
Cell Survival - physiology
Cellular biology
Developmental biology
Extracellular Matrix - genetics
Extracellular Matrix - metabolism
Genotype & phenotype
Human Genetics
Humans
Mice
Molecular biology
Molecular Medicine
Organogenesis - physiology
Proteins
Proteomics
Review
Rodents
Signal Transduction - physiology
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Summary:Cells in multicellular organisms are surrounded by a complex three-dimensional macromolecular extracellular matrix (ECM). This matrix, traditionally thought to serve a structural function providing support and strength to cells within tissues, is increasingly being recognized as having pleiotropic effects in development and growth. Elucidation of the role that the ECM plays in developmental processes has been significantly advanced by studying the phenotypic and developmental consequences of specific genetic alterations of ECM components in the mouse. These studies have revealed the enormous contribution of the ECM to the regulation of key processes in morphogenesis and organogenesis, such as cell adhesion, proliferation, specification, migration, survival, and differentiation. The ECM interacts with signaling molecules and morphogens thereby modulating their activities. This review considers these advances in our understanding of the function of ECM proteins during development, extending beyond their structural capacity, to embrace their new roles in intercellula signaling.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s00441-009-0893-8