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PMID: 1963760 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

The gap junction family: structure, function and chemistry.

Anatomy and embryology ·Vol. 182 ·No. 6 ·1990-00-00 ·Pages 517-28

Dermietzel R, Hwang TK, Spray DS

Abstract

Gap junctions are aggregates of transmembranous channels which bypass the extracellular space by transporting messenger molecules and ions from one cytoplasmic source to an adjacent cytoplasmic interior. The channels join the plasma membranes of adjacent cells by bridging the extracellular space between them. Thereby, cellular "compartments" which were once considered to be individual units are, in actuality, interconnected by a system of pathways which form a functional cellular syncytium. The evolutionary importance of a generalized intercellular communication system can be appreciated when one considers the widespread prevalence of gap junctions within animals of all multicellular phyla, and within almost all tissues of vertebrates. Only a few population of cells such as skeletal muscle cells (which are fused to form functional syncytia) and circulating blood cells are not equipped with gap junctions. This paper provides a brief review of the diverse structural, molecular and functional aspects of gap junctions as revealed by current research.

MeSH Terms
Animals Cell Communication/physiology Connexins Gene Expression Intercellular Junctions/metabolism,ultrastructure Membrane Proteins/chemistry,metabolism RNA, Messenger Signal Transduction/physiology
Chemicals
Connexins Membrane Proteins RNA, Messenger
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Dermietzel R
Institut für Morphologie und Anatomie, Universität Regensburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hwang T K
Spray D S
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Article Info
Journal
Anatomy and embryology
Abbr.
Anat Embryol (Berl)
ISSN
0340-2061
DOI
10.1007/BF00186458
Published
1990-00-00
Pages
517-28
Language
English
Region
Germany
NLM ID
7505194
Subset
IM
Grants
NHLBI NIH HHS · HL-34478 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF00186458
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