Claudin-Claudin Interactions, Practical Examples

Tight junctions (TJs) are composed of three cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) which regulate paracellular permeability in epithelial and endothelial cells. Claudins (CLDNs), occludin (OCLN), and junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs). Currently, the comparative strength of the interactions between different CAMs are unknown, and no easily replicable model of a TJ has been created. CLDN-CLDN interactions are responsible for barrier properties of tissues. To address this gap, we resorted to bacterial expression of TJ proteins. These quantitative techniques developed in our laboratory were applied as a proof of concept to the case of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar or SALSA).