Anderson Lab - Research

Tight junctions: selectivity and regulation of the paracellular pathway

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Tight junctions between epithelial and endothelial cells create selective barriers regulating paracellular transport of solutes, immune cells and drugs. The barrier varies widely among cell types in electrical resistance and behaves as if it is lined with pores showing selectivity for ionic charge and size. We study the molecular basis of the tight junction barrier and its selectivity with a focus on key proteins of the barrier, including ZO-1, occludin, tricellulin and members of the large claudin family. Our work is supported by the NIH (DK 45134; DK 61397) and the UNC Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease (P30 DK 034987).

Specific Research Areas:

Basis of ionic charge and size selectivity of the tight junction with a special focus on regulation of the intestinal barrier in inflammation.

Structural studies of claudins and a naturally occurring ligand, the Clostridia perfringens enterotoxin (CPE). Studies include biochemistry, mutagenesis, cell biology in cultured cell models, animal models and crystallography.

Biology of occludin and tricellulin and their roles in organizing the tight junction barrier.

Structural and cell biologic studies of ZO-1 and its role in tight junction scaffolding.