True or False: Homophilic binding involves a binding of a cell receptor to a ligand attached to an insoluble element of the extracellular matrix.

The assertion is false because homophilic binding refers specifically to interactions between similar molecules, typically between identical receptors on adjacent cells. In this context, both cells express the same type of receptor, which then bind to each other, allowing for cell-cell adhesion. This process often occurs during tissue formation and maintenance, where cells need to recognize and adhere to one another.

In contrast, the statement mentions binding a cell receptor to a ligand attached to an insoluble element of the extracellular matrix, which typically describes heterophilic interactions. In heterophilic binding, a receptor on one cell binds to a different ligand, which may be associated with the extracellular matrix or another cell type. Thus, the nuances of binding specifics—whether it is similar to similar receptors or different—clearly distinguish homophilic interactions from those involving ligands of the extracellular matrix.