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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

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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...
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Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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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...
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Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

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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:...
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Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions01:23

Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions

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Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
Epithelial tissues provide the body's first line of protection from physical,...
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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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
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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
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[Research progress on the function of epithelial tight junction].

Xin Cong1, Yan Zhang1, Guang-Yan Yu2

  • 1Center for Salivary Gland Diseases, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.

Sheng Li Xue Bao : [Acta Physiologica Sinica]
|August 23, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions (TJs) form crucial cell barriers, regulating paracellular transport and maintaining epithelial/endothelial cell integrity. This review explores TJ composition, function, and therapeutic targeting for diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tight junctions (TJs) are vital multiprotein complexes at epithelial and endothelial cell borders.
  • They control paracellular transport and maintain cell polarity through barrier and fence functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in TJ composition, structure, and function measurement.
  • To discuss mechanisms modulating TJ function in key epithelial cells.
  • To explore TJs as therapeutic targets for epithelium-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on tight junctions.
  • Analysis of TJ protein complexes and their roles.
  • Examination of TJ function measurement techniques.
  • Investigation of TJ modulation mechanisms and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • TJs comprise transmembrane and cytoplasmic proteins, forming pores for selective paracellular transport.
  • TJs establish epithelial and endothelial barrier and fence functions.
  • Emerging evidence highlights TJ roles in salivary, airway, intestinal, and renal epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding TJ structure and function is key to developing new therapeutic strategies.
  • Targeting TJs offers potential for treating various epithelium-related diseases.
  • Further research into TJ modulation mechanisms can yield novel treatments.