Figure 5.

Models of cell–cell junctions mediated by RS1. (A) The model from Tolun et al. (2016) depends on a close apposition of the cellular membranes (purple), with a separation of equivalent to the ∼80-Å-thick RS1 molecule. (B) The ability of RS1 to self-assemble into branched networks suggests that it can span a wider intercellular space. In this model, the hydrophobic spikes intercalate into the membrane, with branched strands extending toward the opposing membrane.