Tight junctions link to the actin cytoskeleton

Also known as an occluding junctions, or zonulae occludens (ZO) are multiprotein junctional complexes whose general function is to prevent leakage of transported solutes and water and seals the paracellular pathway. They also help to maintain the polarity of cells by preventing the lateral diffusion of integral membrane proteins. TJs are composed of the tetraspan membrane proteins, Claudin and Occludin, and TJ-associated proteins including a family of Zona Occludens proteins (1,-2, and -3) which associate not only to the intracellular domains of Claudin and Occludin but also bind directly to F-actin and other actin-regulatory proteins including cortactin, α-actinin and Type 1 Myosin