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Gap junction
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Gap junctions are membrane channels between adjacent cells that allow the direct exchange of cytoplasmic substances, such as small molecules, substrates, and metabolites. Gap junctions were first desc
Effects of perinexal width on ephaptic coupling, for G gap = 0 nS
Effects of perinexal width on ephaptic coupling, for G gap = 0 nS
Eye lens showing arrangement of fiber cells with photos of gap junction plaques from different regions
Eye lens showing arrangement of fiber cells with photos of gap junction plaques from different regions
Lens epithelial cells with gap junctions and hemichannels at the interface with fiber cells.
Lens epithelial cells with gap junctions and hemichannels at the interface with fiber cells.
Lens fiber cells ends with gap junctions and hemichannels at the interface with fiber cells.
Lens fiber cells ends with gap junctions and hemichannels at the interface with fiber cells.
Connexin
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Connexins, or gap junction proteins, are structurally related transmembrane proteins that assemble to form vertebrate gap junctions. An entirely different family of proteins, the innexins, forms gap j
Gap junction
…distinguish them from tight junctions. They bridge a 2-4 nm gap between cell membranes. Gap junctions use protein complexes known as connexons, composed of connexin proteins to connect one cell to another. Gap junction proteins include the more than 26 types of connexin, as well as at least 12 non-connexin components…
Connexin-26 dodecamer. A gap junction, composed of twelve identical connexin proteins, six in the membrane of each cell. Each of these six units is a
Connexin-26 dodecamer. A gap junction, composed of twelve identical connexin proteins, six in the membrane of each cell. Each of these six units is a single polypeptide which passes the membrane four times (referred to as four-pass transmembrane proteins).
Life cycle and protein associations of connexins. Connexins are synthesized on ER-bound ribosomes and inserted into the ER cotranslationally. This is
Life cycle and protein associations of connexins. Connexins are synthesized on ER-bound ribosomes and inserted into the ER cotranslationally. This is followed by oligomerization between the ER and trans-Golgi network (depending on the connexin type) into connexons, which are then delivered to the membrane via the actin or microtubule networks. Connexons may also be delivered to the plasma membrane by direct transfer from the rough ER. Upon insertion into the membrane, connexons may remain as hemichannels or they dock with compatible connexons on adjacent cells to form gap junctions. Newly delivered connexons are added to the periphery of pre-formed gap junctions, while the central "older" gap junction fragment are degraded by internalization of a double-membrane structure called an annular junction into one of the two cells, where subsequent lysosomal or proteasomal degradation occurs, or in some cases the connexons are recycled to the membrane (indicated by dashed arrow). During their life cycle, connexins associate with different proteins, including (1) cytoskeletal components as microtubules, actin, and actin-binding proteins α-