CLDN6
CLDN6 (claudin 6) is an integral membrane protein of the claudin family and a component of tight junction strands in epithelial and endothelial cell sheets. It is also one of the entry cofactors used by hepatitis C virus. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CLDN6 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Tight junctions are one mode of cell-to-cell adhesion in epithelial and endothelial cell sheets. They form continuous seals around cells and act as a physical barrier, preventing solutes and water from passing freely through the paracellular space. The junctions are built from networks of continuous strands in the outwardly facing cytoplasmic leaflet, with complementary grooves in the inwardly facing extracytoplasmic leaflet. CLDN6 encodes a component of these tight junction strands.
The CLDN6 protein, named claudin-6 in UniProt, is an integral membrane protein that localises to tight junctions and the cell membrane. It belongs to the claudin family, which HGNC groups together as the Claudins. The CLDN6 gene sits next to another family member, CLDN9, on chromosome 16, and the mouse ortholog is Cldn6.
Beyond its structural role, CLDN6 has a documented link to infection. UniProt annotates it as acting as a receptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into hepatic cells, and the NCBI Gene summary describes it as one of the entry cofactors for HCV. The same summary notes that methylation of the gene may be involved in oesophageal tumorigenesis. Together, these points make CLDN6 relevant to studies of epithelial barrier biology, viral entry and cancer epigenetics.
CLDN6 is a component of tight junction strands that seal epithelial and endothelial sheets and limit paracellular passage of solutes and water.
CLDN6 is annotated as a receptor for HCV entry into hepatic cells and as one of the virus's entry cofactors.
Methylation of the CLDN6 gene may be involved in oesophageal tumorigenesis, making it a subject for epigenetic and cancer research.
CLDN6 lies beside CLDN9 on chromosome 16, which makes it useful for comparing related claudin family members.
CLDN6 is a component of tight junction strands. These strands form continuous seals around epithelial and endothelial cells and act as a barrier to free passage of solutes and water through the paracellular space. It is also annotated as a receptor for hepatitis C virus entry into hepatic cells.
The HGNC symbol is CLDN6 and the approved name is claudin 6. UniProt lists the protein as Claudin-6. No alternative aliases or previous symbols are recorded in the source data. The protein belongs to the claudin family, grouped by HGNC as the Claudins.
The NCBI Gene summary links CLDN6 to hepatitis C virus entry and notes that gene methylation may be involved in oesophageal tumorigenesis. A mouse ortholog, Cldn6, exists. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other claudin family members and tight junction proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P56747; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.