Final answer:
Macula adherens, known as desmosomes, are structures essential for cell-to-cell adhesion. They differ from focal adhesions, which are key players in cell-matrix adhesion and signaling, and integral to cellular functions such as migration and response to force.
Step-by-step explanation:
Desmosomes are cell structures specialized in cell-to-cell adhesion, which provide mechanical strength to tissues by anchoring to intermediate filaments within the cell. They are particularly important in tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as cardiac muscle and epidermal tissue. The detailed molecular organization of focal adhesions, which are different from desmosomes but also contribute to cell adhesion, has been extensively studied.
Focal adhesions involve transmembrane adhesion receptors of the integrin family, which bind to the extracellular matrix, and are internally linked to the actin cytoskeleton through proteins like talin, vinculin, and paxillin, facilitating cell signaling and mechanical stability. These adhesive structures are dynamic, changing in response to mechanical forces, signaling events, and various biochemical interactions, playing crucial roles in cell migration, differentiation, fate, and the response to cancer therapies.