PMU-Autor/inn/en
Bauer Hans ChristianAbstract
Epithelial and endothelial tissue barriers are based on tight intercellular contacts (Tight Junctions, TJs) between neighbouring cells. TJs are multimeric complexes, located at the most apical border of the lateral membrane. So far, a plethora of proteins locating at tight intercellular contacts have been discovered, the role of which has just partly been unraveled. Yet, there is convincing evidence that many TJ proteins exert a dual role: They act as structural components at the junctional site and they are involved in signalling pathways leading to alterations of gene expression and cell behaviour (migration, proliferation). This review will shortly summarize the classical functions of TJs and TJ-related proteins and will introduce a new category, termed the "non-classical" functions of junctional proteins. A particular focus will be directed towards the nuclear targeting of junctional proteins and the downstream effects elicited by their intranuclear activities.
Useful keywords (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
Animals
Cell Nucleus/metabolism
Endothelium/cytology
Endothelium/physiology
Epithelial Cells/metabolism
Humans
Membrane Proteins/physiology
Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology
Tight Junctions/genetics
Tight Junctions/metabolism
Tight Junctions/physiology*
Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
Tissue-barriers