| First Author | Tanaka H | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | Mol Cell Biol | Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 954-64 |
| PubMed ID | 26729464 | Mgi Jnum | J:236202 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5805352 | Doi | 10.1128/MCB.00758-15 |
| Citation | Tanaka H, et al. (2016) Claudin-21 Has a Paracellular Channel Role at Tight Junctions. Mol Cell Biol 36(6):954-64 |
| abstractText | Claudin protein family members, of which there are at least 27 in humans and mice, polymerize to form tight junctions (TJs) between epithelial cells, in a tissue- and developmental stage-specific manner. Claudins have a paracellular barrier function. In addition, certain claudins function as paracellular channels for small ions and/or solutes by forming selective pores at the TJs, although the specific claudins involved and their functional mechanisms are still in question. Here we show for the first time that claudin-21, which is more highly expressed in the embryonic than the postnatal stages, acts as a paracellular channel for small cations, such as Na(+), similar to the typical channel-type claudins claudin-2 and -15. Claudin-21 also allows the paracellular passage of larger solutes. Our findings suggest that claudin-21-based TJs allow the passage of small and larger solutes by both paracellular channel-based and some additional mechanisms. |
