Barriers and Channels Formed by Tight Junction Proteins

Tight junctions (TJ) are cell adhesion structures or junction structures that are located at the uppermost portion of the adjacent epithelial or endothelial cells in organs and tissues. TJs comprise a branched network of sealing strands, where every strand acts independently. The main function of TJs is maintaining the relative stability of intracellular substances. It functions by closing or opening the intercellular pathways and by coordinating the entry and exit of molecules of different...