This gene product belongs to the claudin protein family whose members have been identified as major integral membrane proteins localized exclusively at tight junctions. Claudins are expressed in an organ-specific manner and regulate tissue-specific physiologic properties of tight junctions. This protein is expressed in the intestine. Alternatively spliced transcript variants with different 5 untranslated region have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Jan 2010],function:Plays a major role in tight junction-specific obliteration of the intercellular space, through calcium-independent cell-adhesion activity.,similarity:Belongs to the claudin family.,subunit:Can form homo- and heteropolymers with other CLDN. Homopolymers interact with CLDN3, but not CLDN1, homopolymers. Directly interacts with TJP1/ZO-1, TJP2/ZO-2 and TJP3/ZO-3.,
