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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...

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

Tension 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...

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:...

ATP Driven Pumps III: V-type Pumps

ATP Driven Pumps III: V-type Pumps

V-type pumps are ATP-driven pumps found in the vacuolar membranes of plants, yeast, endosomal and lysosomal membranes of animal cells, plasma membranes of a few specialized eukaryotic cells, and some prokaryotes. They are also known as the V1Vo-ATPase, that couple ATP hydrolysis to transport protons against a concentration gradient.
The peripheral or cytosolic V1 domain with eight subunits is involved in ATP hydrolysis. The integral or transmembrane V0 domain containing at least five subunits...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

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

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

Published on: May 26, 2021

Na,K-ATPase and epithelial tight junctions.

Sigrid A Rajasekaran¹, Ayyappan K Rajasekaran

¹Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA. sraj@medsci.udel.edu

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)

|March 11, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The sodium-potassium pump (Na,K-ATPase) plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of tight junctions, which control cell barrier function. This review highlights its conserved function across species in regulating tight junction structure and permeability.

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

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

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

Published on: May 26, 2021

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Physiology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Tight junctions are vital organelles in epithelial and endothelial cells, controlling solute and ion flow across barriers.
Their structure and function are influenced by diverse signaling and molecular pathways.
Recent research indicates a novel role for the sodium-potassium pump (Na,K-ATPase) in tight junction regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To compile recent findings on the role of Na,K-ATPase in tight junction modulation.
To propose a model for the conserved function of Na,K-ATPase in tight junction regulation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies in mammals, Drosophila, and zebrafish.
Analysis of signaling and molecular mechanisms regulating tight junctions.

Main Results:

Na,K-ATPase is increasingly recognized for its role in tight junction development.
Evidence suggests Na,K-ATPase influences tight junction permeability and cell polarity.
This function appears conserved across different species.

Conclusions:

Na,K-ATPase is a key regulator of tight junction structure and function.
A conserved mechanism involving Na,K-ATPase likely modulates epithelial and endothelial barrier integrity.