Issues

Cover picture: Comparison of the integrin recognition sites of E-cadherin, fibronectin, mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Ribbon diagrams of domain 1 of E-cadherin (left), the tenth type III repeat of fibronectin (top right), domain 1 of MAdCAM-1 (middle), and domain 1 of ICAM-1 (bottom right) are shown. The {beta} sandwich topology shared by these molecules appears to be a conserved scaffold for integrin recognition. However, the location of the integrin binding site differs. The location of the side chain of the acidic residue critical for integrin adhesion is shown with stick diagrams, and where applicable, the loop involved in integrin recognition is highlighted. See related article in this issue by Taraszka et al., pp. 1555-1567.