New aspects of the molecular constituents of tissue barriers

• Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission Vol. 118; no. 1; pp. 7 - 21
• Main Authors: Bauer, H. C., Traweger, A., Zweimueller-Mayer, J., Lehner, C., Tempfer, H., Krizbai, I., Wilhelm, I., Bauer, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.01.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Basic Neurosciences; Cell migration; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Endothelium - cytology; Endothelium - physiology; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Gene expression; Genetics and Immunology - Review Article; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Membrane Proteins - physiology; Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology; Neurology; Neurosciences; Psychiatry; Signal transduction; Tight junctions; Tight Junctions - genetics; Tight Junctions - metabolism; Tight Junctions - physiology; Endothelia; Tissue-barriers; Tight junctions; Epithelia
• ISSN: 0300-9564; 1435-1463
• DOI: 10.1007/s00702-010-0484-6

Epithelial and endothelial tissue barriers are based on tight intercellular contacts (Tight Junctions, TJs) between neighbouring cells. TJs are multimeric complexes, located at the most apical border of the lateral membrane. So far, a plethora of proteins locating at tight intercellular contacts have been discovered, the role of which has just partly been unraveled. Yet, there is convincing evidence that many TJ proteins exert a dual role: They act as structural components at the junctional site and they are involved in signalling pathways leading to alterations of gene expression and cell behaviour (migration, proliferation). This review will shortly summarize the classical functions of TJs and TJ-related proteins and will introduce a new category, termed the “non-classical” functions of junctional proteins. A particular focus will be directed towards the nuclear targeting of junctional proteins and the downstream effects elicited by their intranuclear activities.