Decoded: the structure of the barrier between three cells

When three cells come together in the epithelial tissue, one can imagine the contact as a 'three-way zipper'. WWU - Stefan Luschnig Organs in animals and in humans have one thing in common: they are bounded by so-called epithelial cells. These, along with the muscle, connective and nervous tissues, belong to the basic types of tissue. Epithelial cells form special connections with one another in order to prevent substances or pathogens from passing between the cells, i.e. they have a protective and sealing function for the body. Researchers at the Institute of Animal Physiology at the University of Münster have now found out how two proteins called Anakonda and M6 interact in epithelial cells in fruit flies in order to produce a functioning barrier at so-called tricellular contacts. These corner points between three cells - so-called tricellular junctions (TCJs) - are a preferred route for migrating cells as well as for bacterial pathogens entering into the body. Although the formation of the barrier function between two epithelial cells has already been well examined, much less is known about the biology of the tricellular contacts.