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Related Concept Videos

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...
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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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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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Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

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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...
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Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

9.2K
The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
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Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels01:09

Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels

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In multi-pass transmembrane proteins, the polypeptide chain crosses the membrane more than once. The transmembrane polypeptide chain either forms an α-helix or β-strand structure. α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins are ubiquitous, whereas β-strand containing ones are mainly found in gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
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Structural Features of Tight-Junction Proteins.

Udo Heinemann1, Anja Schuetz2

  • 1Macromolecular Structure and Interaction Laboratory, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 5, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Structural insights into tight junctions reveal common protein motifs and interactions crucial for their formation and function. This review details known 3D structures of tight junction proteins and their binding mechanisms.

Keywords:
MAGUK proteinsPDZ domainclaudinsjunctional adhesion moleculeoccludinprotein domainprotein structuretight junctiontricellulinzonula occludens

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Structural biology
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Tight junctions are essential cell-cell adhesion complexes regulating paracellular permeability and cellular polarity.
  • They comprise integral membrane proteins, associated membrane proteins, and cytoplasmic proteins interacting dynamically.
  • Understanding the molecular basis of these interactions is key to deciphering tight junction function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze the published three-dimensional structures of tight junction proteins.
  • To elucidate the common structural motifs and interaction types within these proteins.
  • To provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of tight junction assembly and function.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for structure determination.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of structural motifs and interaction interfaces.

Main Results:

  • Several tight junction proteins and their domains have experimentally determined 3D structures.
  • These proteins share a limited repertoire of recurring structural motifs.
  • Common interaction patterns involving these motifs mediate protein-protein and protein-ligand binding within tight junctions.

Conclusions:

  • The structural data provide direct insights into the molecular basis of tight junction formation and integrity.
  • Understanding these structures facilitates modeling of ligand-binding events and functional mechanisms.
  • This review consolidates structural knowledge, highlighting conserved motifs and interactions critical for tight junction biology.