Cell–Cell Adhesion and the Cytoskeleton

Cell–cell adhesion systems regulate cell–cell interactions in all solid tissues of the body. Many of the best-understood cell–cell adhesion systems physically interact with elements of the cytoskeleton to mediate functional cooperation between cytoskeleton and adhesion. This article discusses the mechanisms that couple actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules to classical and desmosomal cadherins and outlines how cytoskeletal association contributes to the biological function of these adhesive junctions.