Abstract:Tight junctions form selectively‐permeable barriers that regulate paracellular flux. Individual members of the claudin protein family have been categorized as having either pore‐forming or sealing functions. For example, claudin‐2 forms paracellular cation‐selective pores. Conversely, overexpression of claudin‐4 can enhance the paracellular barrier, i.e., reduce permeability, in vitro; claudin‐4 has therefore been classified as a sealing claudin. Although specific residues that form paracellular pores, e.g., w… Show more
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