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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

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...

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
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P-N junction

P-N junction

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The Neuromuscular Junction

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The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands

Published on: May 30, 2017

Adherens junctions influence tight junction formation via changes in membrane lipid composition.

Kenta Shigetomi¹, Yumiko Ono¹, Tetsuichiro Inai²

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

The Journal of Cell Biology

|May 4, 2018

Summary

Adherens junctions (AJs) regulate tight junction (TJ) formation by increasing plasma membrane cholesterol. Loss of AJs causes claudin endocytosis, while cholesterol addition restores TJ formation.

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Last Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands

Published on: May 30, 2017

Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality

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Published on: August 6, 2017

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:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Tight junctions (TJs) are crucial for epithelial barrier function.
The regulatory mechanisms governing TJ formation remain incompletely understood.
TJ formation is known to depend on adherens junctions (AJs) in epithelial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanism by which adherens junctions (AJs) regulate tight junction (TJ) formation.
To investigate the role of plasma membrane lipid composition in TJ assembly.

Main Methods:

Utilized α-catenin knockout (KO) EpH4 epithelial cells lacking AJs.
Analyzed plasma membrane lipid composition, focusing on sphingomyelin and cholesterol.
Assessed claudin localization and endocytosis.
Manipulated cholesterol levels to observe effects on TJ formation.

Main Results:

Loss of AJs in α-catenin-KO cells led to altered plasma membrane lipid composition.
Cholesterol and sphingomyelin with long-chain fatty acids were enriched in the TJ-containing plasma membrane fraction.
Depletion of cholesterol inhibited TJ formation, while cholesterol supplementation restored it.
Claudins, key TJ components, were found to be endocytosed in the absence of AJs.

Conclusions:

Adherens junctions (AJs) play a critical role in initiating tight junction (TJ) formation.
AJs appear to regulate TJ assembly by modulating cholesterol levels in the plasma membrane.
Cholesterol is essential for maintaining TJ integrity and preventing claudin endocytosis.