title: Expression patterns of claudin family of tight junction membrane proteins in developing mouse submandibular gland.
abstract: Here, we investigated the expression of the claudin family of tight junction transmembrane proteins in the developing mouse submandibular gland. Data obtained by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence microscopy showed the expression and localization of claudin-3 to -8, -10, and -11 at epithelial tight junctions. Examination of the glands taken from embryonic day (E) 14, E16, and newborn mice revealed differential expression patterns of these claudins in the developing epithelium. Claudin-3, -5, and -7 were expressed in all of the luminal epithelial cells of the ducts at all of the developmental stages examined and in those of terminal tubules at E16 and later. Claudin-4 was expressed mainly in the ducts at all the developmental stages. The expression of claudin-6 and -8 was also restricted to the ducts at E14 and E16; but after birth, the former was undetectable, whereas the latter was expressed in both the ducts and terminal tubules. Claudin-10 and -11 were detectable mainly in the terminal tubules at E16 and later. In addition to being found in the epithelium, claudin-5 was also expressed in certain mesenchymal cells, probably endothelial cells. These results will provide a valuable resource for further investigation of tubulogenesis and physiological regulation of claudin-based tight junctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hashizume
authors.forename: Tomoo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Mikio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furuse
authors.forename: Shoichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsukita
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Yohki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hieda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins