claudins

(noun)

This family of proteins is the most important component of tight junctions, where they establish the paracellular barrier that controls the flow of molecules in the intercellular space between the cells of an epithelium.

Related Terms

Examples of claudins in the following topics:

  • Tight Junctions

    • The occludins and claudins are the major components of tight junction strands.

  • Intercellular Junctions

    • The cells are held tightly against each other by proteins (predominantly two proteins called claudins and occludins).

  • Blood-Brain Barrier

    • At the interface between blood and the brain, endothelial cells are joined by these tight junctions, which are composed of smaller subunits, frequently biochemical dimers that are transmembrane proteins such as occludin, claudins, and junctional adhesion molecule.