Molecular structure and functional role of vascular tight junctions.

Abstract Interendothelial tight junctions regulate paracellular permeability and maintain cell polarity. The assembly and remodeling of tight junctions are examined, focusing on the molecular interactions between tight junction components and their functional role in endothelial biology. The molecular structures of two subcellular organelles related to tight junctions, the intercalated disks in cardiomyocytes and the slit diaphragms in glomerular podocytes, are discussed.