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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...

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

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...

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: Jun 13, 2026

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Published on: October 11, 2022

Claudins: unlocking the code to tight junction function during embryogenesis and in disease.

I R Gupta¹, A K Ryan

¹Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Clinical Genetics

|May 8, 2010

Summary

Claudins are key proteins in tight junctions. In vivo studies reveal their crucial roles in embryonic development, tissue integrity, and preventing diseases linked to altered solute and water transport.

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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

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Published on: October 11, 2022

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

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Claudins are essential structural and molecular components of cellular tight junctions.
The expression of multiple claudin family members suggests a combinatorial code for dynamic regulation of tight junction function.
Understanding claudin roles in vivo is critical, complementing cell line studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review in vivo studies illustrating claudin function during embryonic development.
To discuss the role of claudins in human diseases.
To highlight the importance of claudins in maintaining epithelial integrity and regulating paracellular transport.

Main Methods:

Analysis of loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments in animal models.
Review of studies involving mutations in human diseases.
Examination of in vivo data on claudin family members.

Main Results:

In vivo manipulations demonstrate claudins' roles in maintaining epithelial integrity.
Claudins are shown to establish micro-environments and influence embryonic/tissue shape.
Loss-of-function mutations and human disease studies highlight claudin importance in regulating paracellular transport of solutes and water.

Conclusions:

Claudins are vital for tissue structure and function, both during development and in disease states.
In vivo studies are indispensable for elucidating the complex roles of claudins in biological systems.
Dysregulation of claudins significantly impacts physiological processes and disease pathogenesis.