Distinct subdomain organization and molecular composition of a tight junction with adherens junction features

FD Nunes, LN Lopez, HW Lin, C Davies… - Journal of cell …, 2006 - journals.biologists.com
FD Nunes, LN Lopez, HW Lin, C Davies, RB Azevedo, A Gow, B Kachar
Journal of cell science, 2006journals.biologists.com
Most polarized epithelia constrain solute diffusion between luminal and interstitial
compartments using tight junctions and generate mechanical strength using adherens
junctions. These intercellular junctions are typically portrayed as incongruent
macromolecular complexes with distinct protein components. Herein, we delineate the
molecular composition and subdomain architecture of an intercellular junction between
sensory and non-sensory cells of the inner ear. In this junction, claudins partition into claudin …
Most polarized epithelia constrain solute diffusion between luminal and interstitial compartments using tight junctions and generate mechanical strength using adherens junctions. These intercellular junctions are typically portrayed as incongruent macromolecular complexes with distinct protein components. Herein, we delineate the molecular composition and subdomain architecture of an intercellular junction between sensory and non-sensory cells of the inner ear. In this junction, claudins partition into claudin-14 and claudin-9/6 subdomains that are distinguishable by strand morphology, which contrasts with in vitro data that most claudins co-assemble into heteromeric strands. Surprisingly, canonical adherens junction proteins (p120ctn, α- and β-catenins) colocalize with the claudin-9/6 subdomain and recruit a dense cytoskeletal network. We also find that catenins colocalize with claudin-9 and claudin-6, but not claudin-14, in a heterologous system. Together, our data demonstrate that canonical tight junction and adherens junction proteins can be recruited to a single junction in which claudins partition into subdomains and form a novel hybrid tight junction with adherens junction organization.
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