OCLN Antibody / Occludin

The OCLN antibody targets Occludin, a key integral membrane protein encoded by the OCLN gene that contributes to tight junction formation and epithelial barrier integrity. Occludin is a 59 kDa tetraspan protein localized at intercellular junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells. It works together with claudins, junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs), and cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins such as ZO-1 to form the tight junction complex that regulates paracellular permeability. The OCLN antibody enables specific detection of Occludin, allowing researchers to investigate the molecular architecture of tight junctions and how their disruption contributes to disease.

Occludin plays a central role in maintaining cell polarity, barrier selectivity, and communication between adjacent cells. It acts as both a structural and signaling molecule, participating in pathways that control cell growth and differentiation. Phosphorylation of Occludin on serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues dynamically regulates its interaction with cytoplasmic partners and influences tight junction assembly and disassembly. The OCLN antibody is an essential reagent for tracking these modifications and monitoring Occludin redistribution during epithelial remodeling or inflammation.

Mutations in OCLN cause band-like calcification with simplified gyration and polymicrogyria (BLC-PMG), a neurological disorder associated with cortical malformations and hepatic dysfunction. These findings underscore the systemic importance of Occludin beyond epithelial physiology. The OCLN antibody provides researchers with a means to quantify protein levels in both brain and peripheral tissues, aiding studies into developmental and metabolic roles of tight junction components.

Occludin dysfunction is also implicated in a range of diseases, including cancer metastasis, viral infection, and inflammatory bowel disease. Pathogens such as hepatitis C virus and cytomegalovirus exploit Occludin to gain cellular entry or modulate junction integrity. Altered Occludin expression can weaken epithelial barriers, promoting invasion or chronic inflammation. The OCLN antibody allows visualization of these alterations in tissue models, helping elucidate how tight junction disruption contributes to pathogenesis.

The OCLN antibody performs effectively in immunofluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. In epithelial cultures, staining reveals tight junction localization, while in tissues it highlights barrier organization across endothelium and epithelia.