Tight junctions in Gerbil von Ebner's Gland: Horseradish peroxidase and freeze-fracture studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Y. Huang ◽  
Ming-Huei Chen ◽  
Sandy Y. Wu ◽  
Kuo-Shyan Lu
1998 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzuu-Shuh Jou ◽  
Eveline E. Schneeberger ◽  
W. James Nelson

Tight junctions (TJ) govern ion and solute diffusion through the paracellular space (gate function), and restrict mixing of membrane proteins and lipids between membrane domains (fence function) of polarized epithelial cells. We examined roles of the RhoA and Rac1 GTPases in regulating TJ structure and function in MDCK cells using the tetracycline repressible transactivator to regulate RhoAV14, RhoAN19, Rac1V12, and Rac1N17 expression. Both constitutively active and dominant negative RhoA or Rac1 perturbed TJ gate function (transepithelial electrical resistance, tracer diffusion) in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. Freeze-fracture EM and immunofluoresence microscopy revealed abnormal TJ strand morphology and protein (occludin, ZO-1) localization in RhoAV14 and Rac1V12 cells. However, TJ strand morphology and protein localization appeared normal in RhoAN19 and Rac1N17 cells. All mutant GTPases disrupted the fence function of the TJ (interdomain diffusion of a fluorescent lipid), but targeting and organization of a membrane protein in the apical membrane were unaffected. Expression levels and protein complexes of occludin and ZO-1 appeared normal in all mutant cells, although ZO-1 was more readily solubilized from RhoAV14-expressing cells with Triton X-100. These results show that RhoA and Rac1 regulate gate and fence functions of the TJ, and play a role in the spatial organization of TJ proteins at the apex of the lateral membrane.


1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 758-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Friend ◽  
Norton B. Gilula

The fine structure and distribution of tight (zonula occludens) and gap junctions in epithelia of the rat pancreas, liver, adrenal cortex, epididymis, and duodenum, and in smooth muscle were examined in paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde-fixed, tracer-permeated (K-pyroantimonate and lanthanum), and freeze-fractured tissue preparations. While many pentalaminar and septilaminar foci seen in thin-section and tracer preparations can be recognized as corresponding to well-characterized freeze-fracture images of tight and gap junction membrane modifications, many others cannot be unequivocally categorized—nor can all freeze-etched aggregates of membrane particles. Generally, epithelia of exocrine glands (pancreas and liver) have moderate-sized tight junctions and large gap junctions, with many of their gap junctions basal to the junctional complex. In contrast, the adrenal cortex, a ductless gland, may not have a tight junction but does possess large gap junctions. Mucosal epithelia (epididymis and intestine) have extensive tight junctions, but their gap junctions are not as well developed as those of glandular tissue. Smooth muscle contains numerous small gap junctions The incidence, size, and configuration of the junctions we observed correlate well with the known functions of the junctions and of the tissues where they are found.


1988 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Claudio A. Ferraz de Carvalho ◽  
Ciro F. da Silva

A freeze-fracture analysis of the satellite cells of spinal ganglia of the chick embryo was performed in 8 successive stages of development, from the 5th incubation day to hatching. The characteristic laminar disposition of the cells were first observed on the 7th day. Tight junctions were found at the 20th incubation day. Small groups or irregular aggregates of particles, but not gap junctions, were described on the 7th and 8th days. Pinocytotic vesicles were pointed out in the different stages considered.


1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 942-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Mazariegos ◽  
A R Hand

Previous studies have shown that tight junctions of the unstimulated rat parotid gland are impermeable to retrogradely administered tracers such as myoglobin. Permeability is increased following beta-adrenergic stimulation, allowing the tracers to reach the intercellular and interstitial spaces. Reaction product of retrogradely infused horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and lactoperoxidase in found in the intercellular and interstitial spaces in both resting and stimulated glands, and many acinar and duct cells contain diffuse cytoplasmic reaction product. In this study we investigate several factors that might influence the distribution of HRP in the parotid gland. Tracer distribution was similar with HRP obtained from different suppliers, with different HRP preparations (Sigma types II, VI, VIII, and IX), and at HRP concentrations of 0.1-10 mg/ml. Inclusion of various saccharides in the infusion solution had no effect on the distribution of reaction product. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of HRP by extraction of the heme group or reaction with hydrazine reduced but did not eliminate the extraluminal and cytoplasmic reaction product. In contrast, HRP treated with high H2O2 concentrations (0.04 M) was retained in the lumina and cytoplasmic staining was nearly abolished. Immunofluorescent localization of untreated and H2O2-treated HRP after retrograde infusion confirmed the findings obtained using diaminobenzidine procedures. These results suggest that the peroxidatic activity of HRP may damage cell membranes and tight junctions in the rat parotid gland, and indicate that permeability studies employing HRP as a tracer should be interpreted with caution.


1999 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Mitic ◽  
Eveline E. Schneeberger ◽  
Alan S. Fanning ◽  
James Melvin Anderson

Occludin is a transmembrane protein of the tight junction that functions in creating both an intercellular permeability barrier and an intramembrane diffusion barrier. Creation of the barrier requires the precise localization of occludin, and a distinct family of transmembrane proteins called claudins, into continuous linear fibrils visible by freeze-fracture microscopy. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the relative importance of the transmembrane and extracellular versus the cytoplasmic domains in localizing occludin in fibrils. To specifically address whether occludin's COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain is sufficient to target it into tight junction fibrils, we created chimeras with the transmembrane portions of connexin 32. Despite the gap junction targeting information present in their transmembrane and extracellular domains, these connexin-occludin chimeras localized within fibrils when expressed in MDCK cells, as assessed by immunofluorescence and immunogold freeze-fracture imaging. Localization of chimeras at tight junctions depends on the COOH-terminal ZO-binding domain and not on the membrane proximal domain of occludin. Furthermore, neither endogenous occludin nor claudin is required for targeting to ZO-1–containing cell–cell contacts, since in normal rat kidney fibroblasts targeting of chimeras again required only the ZO-binding domain. These results suggest an important role for cytoplasmic proteins, presumably ZO-1, ZO-2, and ZO-3, in localizing occludin in tight junction fibrils. Such a scaffolding and cytoskeletal coupling function for ZO MAGUKs is analogous to that of other members of the MAGUK family.


Endocrinology ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. VAN UIJEN ◽  
J. E. VAN DIJK ◽  
C. A. M. KOCH ◽  
J. J. M. DE VIJLDER

1987 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1303-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Inoue ◽  
H. Yamane ◽  
T. Yamamura ◽  
M. Shimono

Long-term repeated administration of isoproterenol (lPR) 2 mg/100 g bw, once daily for ten days, resulted in morphological changes in the intercellular junctions of rat submandibular glands, which were investigated by means of the freeze fracture technique. A significantly increased number of tight-junctional strands was present. These junctional strands extended much deeper toward the basal membrane than those in normal acinar cells. The basal frontier strands that branched from the networks of tight junctions were elongated and had either free-endings or terminal loops, which were more frequently observed in the IPR-treated acinar cells than in untreated acinar cells. Some of the strands of tight junctions were connected to small gap junctions. The diameters of gap junctions were not significantly different from those of control acinar cells. However, smooth areas devoid of particles were found intermingling with the usual packed particles in irregularly shaped small gap junctions. There was no significant difference between the desmosomes of IPR-treated and untreated acinar cells, in terms of either morphology or distribution. These changes in junctional morphology in the IPR-treated acinar cells resemble those seen in salivary glands during development, and in some experimental conditions including tumorous changes.


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