"The striking similarities in molecular, structural, and functional features between the tight junction and the synapse
suggest that epithelial cells may utilize the same proteins that neurons use for synaptic transmission to perform a similar
function."
"The presence of zonapse at the apical domain would allow
cells to communicate through secretion of transmitters within the confined extracellular space delineated by the tight junction
membrane barrier, which could directly stimulate or inhibit activity of neighbouring cells."