Cell-adhesion molecule uvomorulin is localized in the intermediate junctions of adult intestinal epithelial cells

Uvomorulin is a cell-adhesion molecule implicated in the compaction process of mouse preimplantation embryos and the aggregation of embryonal carcinoma cells. A rabbit antiserum against purified uvomorulin also reacts with epithelial cells of various adult tissues. In this study, we investigated the localization of uvomorulin on adult intestinal epithelial cells using electron microscopic analyses. Uvomorulin was shown to exhibit a highly restricted localization in the intermediate junctions of these cells. The results are discussed with respect to a possible adhesive function of uvomorulin on intestinal epithelial cells.