1.H.1.1.14
Claudin-1 (CLDN1) of 211 aas.  Forms homoligomers as well as heterooligomers with Claudin-3 (Milatz et al. 2015). Claudins function as major constituents of the tight junction complexes that regulate the permeability of epithelia. While some claudin family members play essential roles in the formation of impermeable barriers, others mediate the permeability to ions and small molecules. Often, several claudin family members are coexpressed and interact with each other, and this determines the overall permeability. CLDN1 is required to prevent the paracellular diffusion of small molecules through tight junctions in the epidermis and is required for the normal barrier function of the skin (Kirschner et al. 2013). It influences stratum corneum (SC) proteins important for SC water barrier function, and is crucial for TJ barrier formation for allergen-sized macromolecules (Kirschner et al. 2013).