Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
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...
Anchoring Junctions01:03

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:...
Gap Junctions01:37

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tight junction structure, assembly and (dys)function.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same author

Model epithelia from rumen organoids.

American journal of physiology. Cell physiology·2026
Same author

Tumour necrosis factor-α induces macromolecule translocation in HIV-derived duodenal organoids.

Frontiers in immunology·2025
Same author

Effect of claudin-1 or -3 expression on cation and water channel properties of claudin-2.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research·2025
Same author

Ion permeability profiles of renal paracellular channel-forming claudins.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2025
Same author

Matrix-free human 2D organoids recapitulate duodenal barrier and transport properties.

BMC biology·2025
Same journal

Multiomics Profiling During Autoimmune Demyelination Highlights a Complex Regulatory Role for Ataxin-1 in B Cells.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
Same journal

Global Trends in Light Pollution and Their Relationship With Socioeconomic Factors.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
Same journal

Wired for Corruption: Inter-Brain Synchrony Encodes Bribery-Related Value Information and Predicts Bribery Agreement.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
Same journal

LM-YOLO: A Lightweight Multi-Scale Enhanced Model for Forest Smoke Detection Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
Same journal

Polyrhythm Perception and Production: A Scoping Review.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
Same journal

DARTS-CNN-BiLSTM: Intelligent Fault Diagnosis for Computer Numerical Control Machine Tool Feed System.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
06:43

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

Published on: May 26, 2021

Perspectives on tight junction research.

Jörg-Dieter Schulzke1, Dorothee Günzel, Lena J John

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, and Rheumatology, Division of Nutritional Medicine, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. joerg.schulzke@charite.de

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions regulate cell barriers, with some proteins forming selective channels. Research explores their role in diseases and therapeutic potential for drug delivery.

More Related Videos

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: May 21, 2026

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
06:43

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
11:17

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Tight junctions seal paracellular pathways between epithelial and endothelial cells, preventing solute and water back-leakage.
  • Specific tight junction proteins, including claudins and tight junction-associated MARVEL proteins (TAMPs), can form selective ion and water channels.
  • Alterations in tight junction protein structure and function are implicated in inflammatory and infectious diseases, leading to increased permeability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the classification and function of tight junction proteins.
  • To discuss recent findings on claudin and TAMP interactions and regulation.
  • To highlight the role of tight junctions in disease and their therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on tight junction proteins.
  • Analysis of protein families: claudins, TAMPs (occludin, tricellulin, MarvelD3), and junction adhesion molecule (JAM).
  • Discussion of physiological regulations, disease alterations, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Two main families of tight junction proteins identified: claudins and TAMPs, with JAM as an additional protein.
  • Tight junction proteins exhibit specific interactions and are subject to manifold physiological regulations.
  • Altered tight junctions are observed in inflammatory and infectious diseases, often resulting in increased permeability.

Conclusions:

  • Tight junction proteins play diverse roles beyond simple barrier function, including selective transport.
  • Understanding tight junction dynamics is crucial for addressing disease-related permeability changes.
  • Targeting tight junctions offers potential for therapeutic interventions and drug delivery enhancement.