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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...

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...

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...

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...

Non-gated Ion Channels

Non-gated Ion Channels

Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 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

Tight junction pore and leak pathways: a dynamic duo.

Le Shen¹, Christopher R Weber¹, David R Raleigh¹

¹Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637.

Annual Review of Physiology

|October 13, 2010

Summary

Tissue barriers, like the tight junction (zonula occludens), are crucial for multicellular life. This review details tight junction proteins and proposes a model for how their dynamic interactions regulate barrier function.

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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 8, 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
Biochemistry

Background:

Multicellular organisms rely on tissue barriers to separate distinct cell types and control environmental interactions.
While plasma membranes limit solute passage, the paracellular pathway between cells requires sealing by specialized structures.
In vertebrates, the zonula occludens, or tight junction, forms this critical barrier between epithelial and endothelial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the historical context and recent advancements in understanding tight junction components and their functions.
To propose an integrated model for how dynamic regulation of tight junction protein interactions dictates barrier selectivity.
To highlight the importance of tight junctions in maintaining tissue integrity and selective permeability.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on tight junction proteins and their regulation.
Analysis of recent research identifying novel proteins and interactions within the tight junction complex.
Synthesis of data to propose a dynamic model of tight junction function.

Main Results:

Identification of numerous tight junction components over the past two decades.
New insights into the specific proteins and molecular interactions governing tight junction structure and selective permeability.
Evidence supporting a model where dynamic protein interactions regulate barrier function.

Conclusions:

Tight junctions are complex, dynamically regulated structures essential for tissue barrier function.
Understanding the interplay of tight junction proteins is key to deciphering selective permeability.
This review provides a framework for future research into tight junction physiology and pathology.