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Tight Junctions

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

Gap Junctions

Gap Junctions

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

$Fundamental Technical Elements of Freeze-fracture/Freeze-etch in Biological Electron Microscopy$

Fundamental Technical Elements of Freeze-fracture/Freeze-etch in Biological Electron Microscopy

Published on: September 11, 2014

Structural organization of the tight junctions.

Luca Paris¹, Laura Tonutti, Cristina Vannini

¹Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|October 20, 2007

Summary

This review details tight junction molecular interactions, crucial for cell barrier function and polarity. Understanding these connections aids in deciphering their assembly, regulation, and function.

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Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Tight junctions form the apical-most organelle of the apical junctional complex.
They are critical for regulating paracellular permeability and maintaining cell membrane polarity.
Two decades of research have elucidated individual tight junction molecules and their interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and organize known molecular interactions within tight junctions.
To provide a framework for understanding tight junction assembly, regulation, and function.
To outline the general molecular architecture of tight junctions based on current evidence.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on molecular interactions within tight junctions.
Categorization of known molecular interactions into functional clusters.
Analysis of existing evidence to map the general molecular architecture.

Main Results:

Identified key molecules constituting tight junctions.
Detailed numerous mutual interactions among tight junction molecules.
Subdivided known molecular interactions into four major clusters: cell surface, polarity, cytoskeletal, and signaling molecules.

Conclusions:

While the complete map of tight junction interactions is ongoing, current data allows for outlining their general molecular architecture.
The proposed clustering provides a framework for deeper mechanistic understanding.
Further research into these interactions is essential for understanding cellular functions.