Background
Occludin is a component of tight junctions. Occludin is thought to be important in the assembly and maintenance of tight junctions. Differential phosphorylation of occludin at various residues may regulate its interaction with other tight junction proteins such as ZO-1. VEGF-induced phosphorylation of occludin regulates tight junction stability and vascular permeability. Expression of occludin as well as claudin1 is required for infection of liver cells by hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Cellular location
Cell membrane