| 1. |
Kenta Shigetomi, Yumiko Ono, Kenji Matsuzawa, Junichi Ikenouchi, Cholesterol-rich domain formation mediated by ZO proteins is essential for tight junction formation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2217561120, 2023.02, Tight junctions (TJs) are cell-adhesion structures responsible for the epithelial barrier. We reported that accumulation of cholesterol at the apical junctions is required for TJ formation [K. Shigetomi, Y. Ono, T. Inai, J. Ikenouchi, J. Cell Biol. 217, 2373–2381 (2018)]. However, it is unclear how cholesterol accumulates and informs TJ formation— and whether cholesterol enrichment precedes or follows the assembly of claudins in the first place. Here, we established an epithelial cell line (claudin-null cells) that lacks TJs by knocking out claudins. Despite the lack of TJs, cholesterol normally accumulated in the vicinity of the apical junctions. Assembly of claudins at TJs is thought to require binding to zonula occludens (ZO) proteins; however, a claudin mutant that cannot bind to ZO proteins still formed TJ strands. ZO proteins were however necessary for cholesterol accumulation at the apical junctions through their effect on the junctional actomyosin cytoskeleton. We propose that ZO proteins not only function as scaffolds for claudins but also promote TJ formation of cholesterol-rich membrane domains at apical junctions.. |
| 2. |
Kenta Shigetomi, Yumiko Ono, Tetsuichiro Inai, Junichi Ikenouchi, Adherens junctions influence tight junction formation via changes in membrane lipid composition, Journal of Cell Biology, 10.1083/jcb.201711042, 217, 7, 2373-2381, 2018.07, Tight junctions (TJs) are essential cell adhesion structures that act as a barrier to separate the internal milieu from the external environment in multicellular organisms. Although their major constituents have been identified, it is unknown how the formation of TJs is regulated. TJ formation depends on the preceding formation of adherens junctions (AJs) in epithelial cells; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, loss of AJs in α-catenin-knockout (KO) EpH4 epithelial cells altered the lipid composition of the plasma membrane (PM) and led to endocytosis of claudins, a major component of TJs. Sphingomyelin with long-chain fatty acids and cholesterol were enriched in the TJ-containing PM fraction. Depletion of cholesterol abolished the formation of TJs. Conversely, addition of cholesterol restored TJ formation in α-catenin-KO cells. Collectively, we propose that AJs mediate the formation of TJs by increasing the level of cholesterol in the PM.. |
