The molecular structure of the tight junction.
The maintenance of a barrier with controlled permeability is an important characteristic for multi-cellular organisms. In mammalian cells, the tight junction functions in that role allowing compartments with different solute composition to be separate, but not absolutely unconnected. The permeability of this paracellular zone needs to be controlled by both internal and external factors allowing for modulation of the permeability under certain circumstances. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the molecular components of the mammalian tight junction. Also provided, is a brief description of how these junctional components interact with other members of the tight junction plaque and components of both the cytoskelton and signaling cascade.
Lapierre
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The Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. lynnel@immagene.mcg.edu
D000818:Animals; D057167:Claudins; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D062793:Occludin; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000737:chemistry*; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
D057167:Claudins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C568985:OCLN protein, human; D062793:Occludin; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C569042:TJP1 protein, human; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; C502010:claudin 16