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Glycocalyx
- When cells interact with their environment, the glycocalyx proteins, cell adhesion molecules, play key roles in embryonic development and wound repair. They act as molecular velcro cells use to anchor themselves to molecules in the extracellular space and to each other. They are the arms that migrating cells use to haul themselves past one another. SOS signals sticking our from the blood vessel lining that rally protective white blood cells to a nearby injured or infected area, and mechanical sensors that respond to local tension at cell surface by synthesis or degradation of adhesive membrane junctions.