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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

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...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

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 Junctions01:14

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-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
09:52

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

Tight junction-based epithelial microenvironment and cell proliferation.

S Tsukita1, Y Yamazaki, T Katsuno

  • 1Laboratory of Biological Science, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences/Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. atsukita@biosci.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Oncogene
|November 26, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions (TJs) form epithelial barriers, crucial for cell adhesion and polarization. Claudin proteins are key components, regulating the microenvironment and offering new anticancer strategies.

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
11:17

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
09:52

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication

Published on: September 20, 2016

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
11:17

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Epithelial biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tight junctions (TJs), or zonula occludens, are specialized epithelial cell membrane structures.
  • TJs are essential for cell adhesion, paracellular barrier function, and cell polarization.
  • The molecular architecture of TJs is increasingly understood, with claudins as primary components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular basis and functional significance of tight junctions.
  • To explore the role of claudins in regulating the epithelial microenvironment.
  • To investigate the potential of TJ research for developing novel anticancer strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TJ protein composition, including claudins, occludin, tricellulin, JAMs, and CAR.
  • Functional studies of claudins in cell cultures and animal models.
  • Examination of claudin expression levels and their correlation with TJ regulation.

Main Results:

  • Claudins, integral membrane proteins with four transmembrane domains, form the framework of TJ strands.
  • The claudin family comprises at least 24 members in humans and mice.
  • Claudin-based TJs play pivotal roles in regulating the epithelial microenvironment, impacting cell proliferation and polarization.

Conclusions:

  • Tight junctions are fundamental to epithelial barrier function and microenvironment regulation.
  • Understanding TJ regulation, particularly claudin dynamics, offers insights into cell polarization.
  • Targeting TJ-based microenvironment regulation presents a promising avenue for developing anticancer therapies.