Which anchoring junctions have cell to cell adhesion?

Adherens junctions and desmosomes are key cell-to-cell adhesion structures found in tissues. Adherens junctions primarily link the cytoskeletons of neighboring cells through cadherin proteins, which facilitate strong adhesive interactions essential for maintaining tissue integrity and structure. They are typically associated with a protein called catenin that links the cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton.

Desmosomes, on the other hand, provide a robust connection between cells through intermediate filaments. They utilize desmogleins and desmocollins, which are also cadherin-related proteins. This type of junction is especially critical in tissues that experience high mechanical stress, such as cardiac muscle and epithelial tissues, ensuring that the cells stay attached to one another, even under strain.

In contrast, focal adhesions and hemidesmosomes are primarily involved in cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion rather than cell-to-cell interactions. Focal adhesions connect the actin cytoskeleton to the ECM through integrins, whereas hemidesmosomes anchor intermediate filaments to the basement membrane, providing stability to epithelial cells. Thus, while they are important for cellular anchoring and signaling, they do not mediate direct