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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

5.3K
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...
5.3K
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

25.5K
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...
25.5K
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

4.8K
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
4.8K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

3.8K
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:...
3.8K
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

8.0K
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...
8.0K
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

7.2K
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...
7.2K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 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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A short guide to the tight junction.

Sandra Citi1, Michael Fromm2, Mikio Furuse3

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 30 Quai Ernest Ansermet, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Cell Science
|May 7, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tight junctions (TJs) form crucial cell barriers in multicellular organisms. Research has advanced understanding of TJ structure, function, and regulation, with future challenges identified.

Keywords:
ActinBarrierCingulinClaudinEpitheliumMyosinOccludinPermeabilityPolarityTight junctionsZO-1

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

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

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

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

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Epithelial biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Tight junctions (TJs) are vital cell-to-cell contacts in epithelial and endothelial tissues.
  • They create selective paracellular barriers, essential for compartmentalizing body fluids.
  • TJ formation was a critical evolutionary step for multicellular organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key concepts in tight junction research over the past six decades.
  • To highlight advancements in understanding TJ structure, function, molecular composition, and regulation.
  • To identify future challenges and research directions in the field of tight junctions.

Main Methods:

  • This perspective synthesizes existing knowledge from transmission electron microscopy and subsequent research.
  • It reviews decades of scientific literature on tight junctions.
  • No new experimental data were generated; it is a review and perspective.

Main Results:

  • Significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular architecture and dynamic regulation of tight junctions.
  • The role of tight junctions in maintaining tissue integrity and physiological homeostasis is well-established.
  • Key protein families and their interactions within the tight junction complex have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Tight junctions are fundamental to metazoan life, enabling the development of complex, compartmentalized organisms.
  • Continued research is needed to fully understand TJ assembly, disassembly, and their roles in disease.
  • Future efforts should focus on TJ dynamics, therapeutic targeting, and integration with other cellular processes.