Claudin-8 (CLDN8)

Claudin-8 is an integral membrane protein and a member of the claudin family, which are essential components of tight junctions that form selective permeability barriers in epithelial and endothelial tissues.[1][5][6] These proteins are characterized by four transmembrane domains and are involved in the fine-tuned regulation of paracellular transport and maintenance of cellular polarity and structural integrity.[2][3][4] Claudin-8 in particular helps form a cation-selective barrier in the distal renal tubule and prevents back-leakage of sodium in the distal colon.[1] Altered expression of CLDN8 has been documented in cancers such as colorectal carcinoma and certain renal cell tumors, and it may serve, often with claudin-7, as an immunohistochemical biomarker to differentiate chromophobe renal cell carcinoma from renal oncocytoma.[1] Although claudins have been studied as potential biomarkers and sometimes putative tumor targets in research, CLDN8 itself is not currently recognized as a direct therapeutic target or receptor, and no drugs are known to interact specifically with Claudin-8.[1][5][6]

Other names

Claudin-8CLDN8HEL-S-79UNQ779/PRO1573epididymis secretory protein Li 79claudin 8