Claudins are a family of proteins which, along with occludin, are the most important components of the tight junctions (zonulae occludentes).[1][2] Tight junctions establish the paracellular barrier that controls the flow of molecules in the intercellular space between the cells of an epithelium.[1][3][4] They have four transmembrane domains, with the N-terminus and the C-terminus in the cytoplasm.
^ abHou J, Konrad M (2010-01-01). "Chapter 7 - Claudins and Renal Magnesium Handling". In Yu AS (ed.). Current Topics in Membranes. Vol. 65. Academic Press. pp. 151–176. doi:10.1016/s1063-5823(10)65007-7. ISBN9780123810397.
^Furuse M (2010-01-01). "Chapter 1 - Introduction: Claudins, Tight Junctions, and the Paracellular Barrier". In Yu AS (ed.). Current Topics in Membranes. Vol. 65. Academic Press. pp. 1–19. doi:10.1016/s1063-5823(10)65001-6. ISBN9780123810397.
^Szaszi K, Amoozadeh Y (2014-01-01). "Chapter Six - New Insights into Functions, Regulation, and Pathological Roles of Tight Junctions in Kidney Tubular Epithelium". In Jeon KW (ed.). International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology. Vol. 308. Academic Press. pp. 205–271. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800097-7.00006-3. ISBN9780128000977. PMID24411173.