Occludin deficiency promotes ethanol-induced disruption of colonic epithelial junctions, gut barrier dysfunction and liver damage in mice

•Occludin deficiency enhances chronic ethanol-induced increase in mucosal permeability in mouse colon.•Ethanol-induced disruption of apical junctional complexes in colonic epithelium is more severe in occludin deficient mice.•Occludin deficiency promotes ethanol-induced liver damage.•Ethanol-induced fatty liver is more severe in occludin deficient mice.