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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:...

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Published on: August 22, 2016

Tight junctions in skin: new perspectives.

Bharti Sapra¹, Manish Jindal, Ashok K Tiwary

¹Pharmaceutics Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, India.

Therapeutic Delivery

|December 25, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions (TJs) form crucial barriers in the skin by sealing cells. This review explores TJ components and their role in skin barrier function and disease.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

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Published on: February 10, 2014

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Tight junctions (TJs) are essential intercellular contacts that maintain epithelial and endothelial barrier integrity.
Key TJ components in mammalian epidermis include claudins, occludin, tricellulin, and junctional adhesion molecules.
Altered TJ protein expression is observed in skin diseases with impaired barrier function.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of the molecular composition of tight junctions.
To discuss tools used for identifying tight junction components.
To elucidate the role of tight junctions in skin diseases and barrier function.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on tight junctions in skin.
Analysis of molecular components and their localization.
Examination of TJ protein expression in skin disease contexts.

Main Results:

Detailed description of diverse TJ protein families and their complex localization in the epidermis.
Identification of altered TJ protein expression patterns in various skin pathologies.
Highlighting the critical role of TJs in maintaining skin barrier homeostasis.

Conclusions:

Tight junctions are vital for skin barrier function and are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Understanding TJ molecular composition and function is key to addressing skin barrier disorders.
Further research into TJ proteins offers potential therapeutic strategies for skin diseases.