Cancer Terms

Tight Junction

Cancer Terms -> Anatomic Structure System or Substance -> Body Part -> Cell Part -> Cell Junction -> Epithelial Cell Junction -> Tight Junction

Tight Junction Definition

Found near the apical surface of cells in simple epithelia. Forms a sealing "gasket" around the cell by the fusion of adjacent cell membranes which encircle the apical cell surface like a belt or fence. Prevents fluid moving through the intercellular gap and the lateral diffusion of intrinsic membrane proteins between apical and basolateral domains of the plasma membrane as well as occludes the movement of solute molecules between cells. Various proteins components of this junction have been identified, but how they are linked to form the ultrastructure of the junction is not known.

Tight Junction Synonyms

Tight Junction, Occluding Junction, Zonula Occludens

Terms in Tight Junction category



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