title: Transcriptional regulators of claudins in epithelial tight junctions.
abstract: Human gastrointestinal tract is covered by a monolayer of specialized epithelial cells that constitute a protective barrier surface to external toxic and infectious agents along with metabolic and digestive functions. Intercellular junctions, among epithelial cells, such as desmosomes, adherens, gap, and tight junctions (TJs), not only provide mechanical integrity but also limit movement of molecules across the monolayer. TJ is a complex structure composed of approximately 35 different proteins that interact with each other at the apical side of two adjacent epithelial cells. Claudin family proteins are important members of TJ with so far 24 known isoforms in different species. Claudins are structural proteins of TJ that help to control the paracellular movement by forming fence and barrier across the epithelial monolayer. Altered function of claudins is implicated in different form of cancers, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and leaky diarrhea. Based on their significant role in the molecular architecture of TJ, diversity, and disease association, further understanding about claudin family proteins and their genetic/epigenetic regulators is indispensable.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Chemistry/UMG-Laboratories, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany ; Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Niamat
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6615-6871
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Chemistry/UMG-Laboratories, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Abdul R
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8581-3187
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Asif
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D057167:Claudins / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D019108:Tight Junctions; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D057167:Claudins; D020033:Protein Isoforms