Bridging the gap: Super-resolution microscopy of epithelial cell junctions. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartle, Emily I.; Rao, Tejeshwar C.; Urner, Tara M.; Mattheyses, Alexa L.
• Is Part Of: Tissue barriers. Volume 6:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: adherens junction -- desmosome -- gap junction -- hemidesmosome -- PALM -- SIM -- STORM -- STED -- tight junction; Biological transport -- Periodicals; Tissues -- Periodicals; Biological Transport -- Periodicals; Tissues -- Periodicals; 571
• DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2017.1404189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2168-8370

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cell junctions are critical for cell adhesion and communication in epithelial tissues. It is evident that the cellular distribution, size, and architecture of cell junctions play a vital role in regulating function. These details of junction architecture have been challenging to elucidate in part due to the complexity and size of cell junctions. A major challenge in understanding these features is attaining high resolution spatial information with molecular specificity. Fluorescence microscopy allows localization of specific proteins to junctions, but with a resolution on the same scale as junction size, rendering internal protein organization unobtainable. Super-resolution microscopy provides a bridge between fluorescence microscopy and nanoscale approaches, utilizing fluorescent tags to reveal protein organization below the resolution limit. Here we provide a brief introduction to super-resolution microscopy and discuss novel findings into the organization, structure and function of epithelial cell junctions.