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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

6.2K
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...
6.2K
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

27.8K
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...
27.8K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

4.4K
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:...
4.4K
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

8.3K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
8.3K
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

5.5K
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
5.5K
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

8.8K
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...
8.8K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 13, 2025

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
06:43

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique

Published on: May 26, 2021

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Recent advances in understanding tight junctions.

Mikio Furuse1,2, Yoshimi Takai3

  • 1Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.

Faculty Reviews
|March 15, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions (TJs) form crucial epithelial barriers. Recent research, using advanced methods, reveals liquid-liquid phase separation as key to TJ formation and organization.

Keywords:
tight junction

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Last Updated: Nov 13, 2025

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Epithelial Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Tight junctions (TJs) are essential cell-cell junctions in vertebrates, forming paracellular diffusion barriers.
  • TJs define apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains in epithelial cells.
  • Understanding TJ formation, dynamics, and regulation is a key focus in cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advances in the cell biology of tight junctions.
  • To highlight novel findings and methodologies in TJ research.
  • To discuss the emerging role of liquid-liquid phase separation in TJ assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Quantitative microscopy
  • Biophysical measurements
  • Genome editing-mediated gene manipulation

Main Results:

  • Molecular constituents of TJs are largely identified.
  • Novel insights into TJ formation, dynamics, and functional regulation have emerged.
  • Liquid-liquid phase separation is implicated as a mechanism for TJ complex formation.

Conclusions:

  • Recent breakthroughs in TJ cell biology are driven by advanced techniques.
  • Liquid-liquid phase separation represents a significant conceptual advance in understanding TJ assembly.
  • Further research will continue to elucidate the complex biology of tight junctions.