Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria

Correspondence: Dr Peter Petzelbauer, Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Email: Peter.Petzelbauer@akh-wien.ac.at

Received 25 May 2000; Revised 13 July 2000; Accepted 17 July 2000.

Abstract

The principle of the molecular organization of adherens junctions follows a uniform pattern, which is found in epithelial, muscular, neuroneal as well as in endothelial cells and is highly conserved among species. Transmembrane molecules of the cadherin family link to catenins, which anchor the adhesion plaque to the cytoskeleton. The kind of cadherin used in adherens junctions is cell-type specific, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is specific for endothelial cells. The assembly and disassembly of the cadherin/catenin complex is dynamic and regulated by growth factors. The functional status of adherens junctions controls endothelial cell-to-cell adhesion, cell scattering, vessel morphogenesis and has intracellular signaling properties, thereby playing an important role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.