| Abstract: | When single epithelial cells from several organs of the salamander Necturus are destroyed with a microelectrode, the adjacent cells migrate and flatten to fill the deficit within 15–30 min. Voltage-scanning experiments indicate that the cellular apposition coincides with a return of the local transepithelial resistance to control levels. High-resolution experiments confirm that a large portion of transepithelial current flows by a paracellular route across tight junctions; recovery of a normal pattern of current flow indicates that tight junctions are formed between newly apposed cells within 15 min of their meeting. |
