Novel distribution of junctional adhesion molecule-C in the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Junction adhesion molecules-A, -B, and -C (Jams) are cell surface glycoproteins that have been shown to play an important role in the assembly and maintenance of tight junctions and in the establishment of epithelial cell polarity. Recent studies reported that Jam-C mRNA was increased threefold in the all-cone retina of the Nrl(-/-) mouse, suggesting that Jam-C is required for maturation and polarization of cone photoreceptors cells. We examined the expression of Jams in the mouse retina by using confocal immunofluorescence localization. Jam-C was detected in tight junctions of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and at the outer limiting membrane (OLM) in the specialized adherens junctions between Müller and photoreceptor cells. Additionally, Jam-C labeling was observed in the long apical pr

SUBMITTER: Daniele LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3144860 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature