Claudin and occludin expression and function in the seminiferous epithelium
Document Type
Article (peer-reviewed)
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins that contribute to function of the blood-testes barrier (BTB) in mice include claudins 3, 5 and 11 and occludin. Although claudin 11 is expressed throughout all stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, claudins 3 and 5 have specific expression at stage VIII. These differences in protein expression suggest that the interactions among, and functions of, these integral membrane proteins may shift over the course of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Also, differences in expression among rodent species and men may make interpretation of studies across species challenging. This review will discuss the characteristics of claudins and occludin; the expression, regulation and function of these integral membrane proteins in the seminiferous epithelium; and how these properties relate to the unique features of BTB.
Recommended Citation
Morrow, C.M., Dolores D. Mruk, C. Yan Cheng, and R.A. Hess. 2010. "Claudin and occludin expression and function in the seminiferous epithelium," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, Biological Sciences 365(1546): 1679–1696.
DOI
10.1098/rstb.2010.0025
Language
English