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

Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

5.8K
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
5.8K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

1.8K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
1.8K
Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

6.8K
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...
6.8K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

1.8K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
1.8K
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

4.6K
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...
4.6K
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

4.9K
4.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

ZONAB Regulates DNA Methylation, Mitochondrial Function, and Entry into Cell Senescence of Endothelial Cells.

Cells·2026
Same author

Phagocytosis by the retinal pigment epithelium: New insights into polarized cell mechanics.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2024
Same author

ZO-1 Regulates Hippo-Independent YAP Activity and Cell Proliferation via a GEF-H1- and TBK1-Regulated Signalling Network.

Cells·2024
Same author

Correction: The Tight Junction Associated Signalling Proteins ZO-1 and ZONAB Regulate Retinal Pigment Epithelium Homeostasis in Mice.

PloS one·2023
Same author

Tight junctions.

Current biology : CB·2023
Same author

ZO-1 Guides Tight Junction Assembly and Epithelial Morphogenesis via Cytoskeletal Tension-Dependent and -Independent Functions.

Cells·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

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

11.2K

Signalling at tight junctions during epithelial differentiation and microbial pathogenesis.

Ceniz Zihni1, Maria S Balda2, Karl Matter2

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK.

Journal of Cell Science
|August 16, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Tight junctions are structures that help epithelial cells form barriers between different parts of the body. These junctions are connected to the cell's internal structure, the actomyosin cytoskeleton, which controls their function through signaling. Tight junctions not only receive signals but also send signals back into the cell to influence processes like cell growth and movement. However, viruses and bacteria can target these junctions to help them infect the body and cause disease. This review looks at recent findings on how tight junctions work and how pathogens manipulate them. It highlights the importance of understanding these signaling pathways for both normal cell function and disease prevention.

Keywords:
InfectionPolarityRho GTPaseTight junctiontight junction signalingepithelial cell signalingmicrobial pathogenesiscellular signaling mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions

More Related Videos

In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration
14:14

In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration

Published on: January 6, 2014

17.1K
Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids
06:31

Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids

Published on: June 2, 2023

1.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

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

11.2K
In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration
14:14

In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration

Published on: January 6, 2014

17.1K
Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids
06:31

Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids

Published on: June 2, 2023

1.7K

Area of Science:

  • Cellular signaling in epithelial biology
  • Microbial pathogenesis in infectious disease
  • Tight junction regulation in tissue homeostasis

Background:

Tight junctions are critical for epithelial cell organization and barrier function. They form a diffusion barrier that separates distinct cellular compartments. These junctions are connected to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, which influences their structure and function. Current knowledge shows that tight junctions respond to and transmit signals within the cell. However, the precise signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Prior research has shown that tight junctions regulate processes like proliferation and migration. That uncertainty drove the need to better understand these signaling pathways. This gap motivated a review of recent findings on molecular signaling at tight junctions. No prior work had resolved how pathogens interact with these junctions to influence disease.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this review is to summarize recent findings on tight junction signaling. It focuses on how these junctions influence cell behavior and survival. The study also examines how pathogens manipulate tight junctions during infection. Tight junctions are essential for epithelial integrity and signaling. This paper reviews molecular mechanisms that regulate junction assembly and function. It also explores how pathogens exploit these junctions to promote disease. The motivation comes from gaps in understanding how tight junctions transmit signals. The authors seek to clarify the role of these junctions in both normal and pathological contexts.

Main Methods:

The authors conducted a literature review to synthesize findings on tight junction signaling. They analyzed molecular mechanisms involved in junction assembly and function. The study includes an evaluation of how tight junctions regulate cell behavior. They examined interactions between tight junctions and the actomyosin cytoskeleton. The review also considers how pathogens affect junctional signaling. The authors focused on recent advances in junctional signaling pathways. They assessed how pathogens manipulate these junctions to aid infection. The review approach integrates findings from multiple studies to present a comprehensive overview.

Main Results:

Tight junctions are linked to the actomyosin cytoskeleton and signaling pathways. They transmit signals that regulate cell proliferation and migration. Recent findings show that tight junctions receive and respond to external signals. These junctions are targeted by pathogenic viruses and bacteria during infection. Pathogens use tight junction components to disrupt normal signaling. This disruption may contribute to disease progression and epithelial dysfunction. The review highlights how junctional signaling influences cell survival. It also discusses how pathogens exploit these junctions to enhance infection.

Conclusions:

The authors synthesize evidence that tight junctions regulate cell behavior through signaling. They conclude that junctional signaling is crucial for epithelial homeostasis. The review suggests that pathogens exploit these junctions to promote disease. Tight junctions are under the control of cytoskeletal signaling mechanisms. The authors propose that understanding these pathways could aid in disease prevention. They emphasize the need for further research on junctional signaling. The review highlights the importance of tight junctions in both normal and pathological contexts. The findings suggest that junctional signaling is a key area for future investigation.

Tight junctions form a paracellular diffusion barrier that separates cellular compartments, enabling epithelial cells to maintain distinct regions.

Tight junctions are linked to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, which influences their assembly and function through signaling mechanisms.

The actomyosin cytoskeleton regulates cytoskeletal dynamics, which are essential for tight junction assembly and function.

Pathogens exploit tight junction components to disrupt junctional signaling, aiding infection and disease progression.

Tight junction signaling regulates cell survival by transmitting signals that influence proliferation and migration.

Understanding these pathways could aid in developing strategies to prevent disease progression and epithelial dysfunction.