Claudin-18 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''CLDN18''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
It belongs to the group of
claudin
Claudins are a family of proteins which, along with occludin, are the most important components of the tight junctions ( zonulae occludentes). Tight junctions establish the paracellular barrier that controls the flow of molecules in the intercel ...
s.
CLDN18 belongs to the large
claudin
Claudins are a family of proteins which, along with occludin, are the most important components of the tight junctions ( zonulae occludentes). Tight junctions establish the paracellular barrier that controls the flow of molecules in the intercel ...
family of proteins, which form
tight junction
Tight junctions, also known as occluding junctions or ''zonulae occludentes'' (singular, ''zonula occludens''), are multiprotein junctional complexes whose canonical function is to prevent leakage of solutes and water and seals between the epith ...
strands in epithelial cells .
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Clinical significance
Isoform 2 (Claudin 18.2) is abundant in gastric tumors.
[Antibody Shines in Advanced Gastric Cancer - IMAB362 leads to longer remission, better survival. June 2016 ]
/ref>
Experimental antibody IMAB362 targets Claudin 18.2 to help treat gastric cancers.[
]
References
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