Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...

Gap Junctions

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...

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-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...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Detection and clinical impact of human leukocyte antigen antibodies in lung transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

HLA·2017

Same author

Comments on Wilson's Null Model.

Oecologia·2017

Same author

Peripheral Blood Gene Expression Changes Associated With Primary Graft Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2017

Same author

The Perioperative Lung Transplant Virome: Torque Teno Viruses Are Elevated in Donor Lungs and Show Divergent Dynamics in Primary Graft Dysfunction.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2016

Same author

Survey of Lung Transplant Community's Views on Primary Graft Dysfunction.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2016

Same author

Protein Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis Identifies Genetic Variation in the Innate Immune Regulator TOLLIP in Post-Lung Transplant Primary Graft Dysfunction Risk.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2015

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Channels in epithelial cell membranes and junctions.

Federation Proceedings

|October 1, 1978

Summary

Epithelial tissues are either "tight" or "leaky." Researchers investigated the ion channels in leaky epithelia and the sodium channels in tight epithelia, identifying key barriers and regulators. Further research is needed to understand water and nonelectrolyte permeabilities.

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Physiology
Biophysics

Background:

Epithelia are classified as 'tight' or 'leaky' based on paracellular ion permeation pathways.
The paracellular channel's resistance is influenced by electron-microscope-visible structures and wall charge.
Leaky epithelia (gallbladder) and tight epithelia exhibit distinct ion transport mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize the ion permeation barriers in leaky epithelia.
To elucidate the properties of the Na+-selective channel in tight epithelia.
To identify remaining challenges in determining water and nonelectrolyte permeabilities.

Main Methods:

Permeability studies using various organic cations in gallbladder epithelium.
Analysis of ion channel characteristics including blockers and regulators.

More Related Videos

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

A Fluorescence-Based Assay of Membrane Potential for High-Throughput Functional Study of Two Endogenous Ion Channels in Two Epithelial Cell Lines

A Fluorescence-Based Assay of Membrane Potential for High-Throughput Functional Study of Two Endogenous Ion Channels in Two Epithelial Cell Lines

Published on: June 22, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

A Fluorescence-Based Assay of Membrane Potential for High-Throughput Functional Study of Two Endogenous Ion Channels in Two Epithelial Cell Lines

A Fluorescence-Based Assay of Membrane Potential for High-Throughput Functional Study of Two Endogenous Ion Channels in Two Epithelial Cell Lines

Published on: June 22, 2022

Review of existing knowledge on epithelial ion transport.

Main Results:

Critical barriers to ion permeation in leaky epithelia are 5-8 Å in radius and bind cations via oxygen atoms.
Tight epithelia feature an apical Na+-selective channel regulated by amiloride, Ca2+, Na+ pump, and aldosterone.
The precise permeabilities of these channels to water and nonelectrolytes are not yet determined.

Conclusions:

Understanding epithelial ion transport requires characterizing both junctional and cellular channels.
Specific structural and chemical properties dictate ion selectivity and permeability.
Further investigation is crucial to fully elucidate epithelial transport functions.