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First published online November 27, 2006
doi: 10.1242/10.1242/jcs.03233

Journal of Cell Science 119, 4819-4827 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
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Research Article

Distinct subdomain organization and molecular composition of a tight junction with adherens junction features

Fabio D. Nunes1,*, Lanier N. Lopez1,*, Harrison W. Lin1,*, Caroline Davies1, Ricardo B. Azevedo1, Alexander Gow2,{ddagger} and Bechara Kachar1,{ddagger}

1 Laboratory of Cellular Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
2 Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Carman and Ann Adams Dept of Pediatrics, Dept of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

{ddagger} Authors for correspondence (e-mail: agow{at}med.wayne.edu; kacharb{at}nidcd.nih.gov)

Accepted 29 August 2006

Most polarized epithelia constrain solute diffusion between luminal and interstitial compartments using tight junctions and generate mechanical strength using adherens junctions. These intercellular junctions are typically portrayed as incongruent macromolecular complexes with distinct protein components. Herein, we delineate the molecular composition and subdomain architecture of an intercellular junction between sensory and non-sensory cells of the inner ear. In this junction, claudins partition into claudin-14 and claudin-9/6 subdomains that are distinguishable by strand morphology, which contrasts with in vitro data that most claudins co-assemble into heteromeric strands. Surprisingly, canonical adherens junction proteins (p120ctn, {alpha}- and ß-catenins) colocalize with the claudin-9/6 subdomain and recruit a dense cytoskeletal network. We also find that catenins colocalize with claudin-9 and claudin-6, but not claudin-14, in a heterologous system. Together, our data demonstrate that canonical tight junction and adherens junction proteins can be recruited to a single junction in which claudins partition into subdomains and form a novel hybrid tight junction with adherens junction organization.

Key words: Apical junctional complex, Outer hair cell, Reticular lamina, Organ of Corti, Tight-adherens junction, Cochlea




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