Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
11:17
Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
Published on: February 10, 2014
The mycotoxin patulin, modulates tight junctions in caco-2 cells
John McLaughlin1, Daniel Lambert, Philip J Padfield
1University of Manchester, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Section of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
Summary
The mycotoxin patulin, a fruit contaminant, disrupts intestinal barrier function by damaging tight junctions in Caco-2 cells. This leads to increased permeability, posing a risk to gut health.
Area of Science:
- Food toxicology
- Gastrointestinal biology
- Cellular biology
Background:
- Mycotoxins like patulin are common food contaminants, particularly in fruits.
- The intestinal barrier is crucial for preventing pathogen entry and maintaining gut homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of patulin on the intestinal barrier properties.
- To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which patulin impacts tight junction components in Caco-2 cells.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Caco-2 cell monolayers to patulin (100 microM for 5 hours).
- Measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to assess barrier integrity.
- Assessment of paracellular permeability using FITC-labelled dextrans.
- Immunoblotting analysis to evaluate tight junction protein levels and distribution (occludin, ZO-1, claudins).
Main Results:
- Patulin significantly reduced TEER by approximately 95%, indicating a compromised barrier.
- Increased permeability to FITC-dextrans (4-40 kDa) was observed.
- Occludin proteolysis and reduced ZO-1 levels were detected.
- Claudin levels remained unchanged, but their distribution was altered.
Conclusions:
- Patulin significantly impairs the barrier function of intestinal Caco-2 cells.
- The observed effects are mediated by specific modulation of tight junction proteins, including occludin and ZO-1.
- These findings highlight the potential risk of patulin exposure to intestinal barrier integrity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Tight 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...
01:14Overview 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...
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
01:26Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
01:09GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of cells.
Two...
Two...
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...