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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...

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:...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

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

Peptides as tight junction modulators.

Azusa Takahashi¹, Masuo Kondoh, Miki Kodaka

¹Laboratory of Bio-Functional Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.

Current Pharmaceutical Design

|July 7, 2011

Summary

Tight junctions (TJs) control drug absorption by sealing epithelial cells. New TJ-modulating peptides offer novel strategies to enhance drug delivery by targeting occludin and claudin barriers.

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Last Updated: May 31, 2026

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

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:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Pharmacology

Background:

Epithelial cell sheets form a barrier crucial for homeostasis, sealed by tight junctions (TJs).
TJs prevent free solute movement, making their modulation a key strategy for drug absorption.
Understanding TJ structure, including occludin (1993) and claudin (1998), is vital for developing absorption enhancers.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in TJ-modulating peptides for enhancing drug absorption.
To discuss the potential of novel peptides targeting occludin and claudin barriers.
To explore synthetic TJ-binding peptides, claudin kinases, and toxin fragments.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent progress in TJ-modulating peptides.
Analysis of peptides targeting occludin and claudin components of TJs.
Examination of synthetic peptides, kinase inhibitors, and toxin fragments.

Main Results:

TJ-modulating peptides represent a novel approach to enhance drug absorption.
Targeting occludin and claudin barriers with specific peptides shows promise.
Development of synthetic peptides and toxin fragments offers new avenues for absorption enhancement.

Conclusions:

TJ-modulating peptides are a promising strategy for improving drug absorption.
Further research into these peptides can lead to advanced drug delivery systems.
Targeted modulation of TJ components offers a novel therapeutic approach.