Cell Junctions

Tight Junction function

Seals together neighboring cells, prevent leakage, polarizes cells

Tight junction transmembrane protein

claudins, occludins

Tight junction cytoskeletal elements

actin

Adherens junctions function

Joins actin bundles in one cell to similar bundle in other cell

Adherens junction TM protein

Cadherins

Adherens junctions

actin bundles

Desmosome function

Join intermediate filaments to other cells, strnegth between cells

Desmosome TM protein

Cadherin

Desmosome Cytoskeletal element

Intermediate filaments (keratin)

Hemidesmosome function

Anchors intermediate filaments to basal lamina, strength in ECM

Hemidesmosome TM protein

Integrins

Hemidesmosome cytoskeletal element

Intermediate filament

Gap junction function

Forms channel that allows small water soluble molecules to pass from cell to cell

Gap junction TM protein

Connexons

Plasmodesmata function

Continuous channel from one cell to the next that allows passage of molecules between plant cells