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PMID: 3059173 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

The epithelial tight junction: structure, function and preliminary biochemical characterization.

Molecular and cellular biochemistry ·Vol. 83 ·No. 2 ·1988-10-00 ·Pages 129-45

Stevenson BR, Anderson JM, Bullivant S

Abstract

The tight junction, or zonula occludens (ZO), forms a semi-permeable barrier in the paracellular pathway in most vertebrate epithelia. The ZO is the apical-most member of a series of intercellular junctions, collectively known as the junctional complex, found at the interface of the apical and lateral cell surface. This structure not only restricts movement of substances around the cells, but may also serve as a 'fence' acting to maintain the cell surface compositional polarity characteristic of epithelial cells. The morphology and physiology of the ZO have been well documented and are briefly reviewed here. The biochemistry of this important intercellular junction remains largely unknown, although a tight junction-specific polypeptide called 'ZO-1' has recently been identified. Preliminary observations regarding the role of this peripheral phosphoprotein in the biology of the ZO are presented.

MeSH Terms
Animals Freeze Fracturing Humans Intercellular Junctions/analysis,physiology,ultrastructure Permeability
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Stevenson B R
Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511.
Anderson J M
Bullivant S
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Article Info
Journal
Molecular and cellular biochemistry
Abbr.
Mol Cell Biochem
ISSN
0300-8177
DOI
10.1007/BF00226141
Published
1988-10-00
Pages
129-45
Language
English
Region
Netherlands
NLM ID
0364456
Subset
IM
Grants
NIDDK NIH HHS · DK34989 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM28932 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM37556 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF00226141 View journal details
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