Spectrins are proteins that are responsible for many aspects of cell function and adaptation to changing environments. Primarily the spectrin-based membrane skeleton maintains cell membrane integrity and its mechanical properties, together with the cytoskeletal network a support cell shape. The occurrence of a variety of spectrin isoforms in diverse cellular environments indicates that it is a multifunctional protein involved in numerous physiological pathways. Participation of spectrin in cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix adhesion and formation of dynamic plasma membrane protrusions and associated signaling events is a subject of interest for researchers in the fields of cell biology and molecular medicine. In this mini-review, we focus on data concerning the role of spectrins in cell surface activities such as adhesion, cell–cell contact, and invadosome formation. We discuss data on different adhesion proteins that directly or indirectly interact with spectrin repeats. New findings support the involvement of spectrin in cell adhesion and spreading, formation of lamellipodia, and also the participation in morphogenetic processes, such as eye development, oogenesis, and angiogenesis. Here, we review the role of spectrin in cell adhesion and cell–cell contact.
Impact statement: This article reviews properties of spectrins as a group of proteins involved in cell surface activities such as, adhesion and cell–cell contact, and their contribution to morphogenesis. We show a new area of research and discuss the involvement of spectrin in regulation of cell–cell contact leading to immunological synapse formation and in shaping synapse architecture during myoblast fusion. Data indicate involvement of spectrins in adhesion and cell–cell or cell–extracellular matrix interactions and therefore in signaling pathways. There is evidence of spectrin’s contribution to the processes of morphogenesis which are connected to its interactions with adhesion molecules, membrane proteins (and perhaps lipids), and actin. Our aim was to highlight the essential role of spectrin in cell–cell contact and cell adhesion.
Keywords: Spectrins; adhesion molecules; cell adhesion; cell–cell contact; membrane; spectrin-based skeleton.