structure of Aggrecan aggregate

Collagen fibril embedded in proteoglycan molecules

Fibroblast surrounded by collagen fibrils

Collagen fibrils in tadpole skin This arrangement is also found in bone and the cornea

Elastic fibers in a dog’s aorta

Each elastin protein in the network can expand and contract as a coil

Fibronectin is an extracellular protein that helps cells attach to the matrix

Connective tissue underlying the epithelium contains a variety of cells and extracellular matrix components

A model of the basal lamina

basal lamina in the cornea of a chick’s embryo

Cross Section of Kidney

Filtration is one step in urine formation

Structure of Nephrons

Inside Bowman’s Capsule

Basal Lamina plays an important role in filtration

extracellular matrix can propagate order within a tissue

Proteases bound to surface receptors are needed to crawl through basal lamina

Melanoma cells with low filamin levels crawl poorly and tend not to metastasize

Integrin is a transmembrane heterodimer

Cells can regulate the activity of their integrins

Focal Adhesion Kinase deficient fibroblasts have more focal adhesions and can not spread

Matrix dependent cell survival in embryonic development

Signaling Pathways in Cancer