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Gap junctions were first described as close appositions as other tight junctions, but following electron microscopy studies in 1967, they were renamed gap junctions to distinguish them from tight junctions. [2] They bridge a 2-4 nm gap between cell membranes. [3] Gap junctions use protein complexes known as connexons to
Gap junctions play vital roles in the human body, [11] including their role in the uniform contractile of the heart muscle. [11] They are also relevant in signal transfers in the brain, and their absence shows a decreased cell density in the brain. [12] Retinal and skin cells are also dependent on gap junctions in cell differentiation and ...
Gap junctions are the main site of cell-cell signaling or communication that allow small molecules to diffuse between adjacent cells. In vertebrates, gap junctions are composed of transmembrane proteins called connexins. They form hexagonal pores or channels through which ions, sugars, and other small molecules can pass.
it is a simplified diagram to show the diferent forms of cell junction. Date: 6 June 2006: Source: the image i made myself convining the images i had already done on the subject (Adherens Junctions, tight junction Gap junction)together with this images i found on the net , and. Image made with Adobe Ilustrator.
A gap junction modulator is a compound or agent that either facilitates or inhibits the transfer of small molecules between biological cells by regulating gap junctions. [1] Various physiological processes including cardiac , neural or auditory , depend on gap junctions to perform crucial regulatory roles, and the modulators themselves are the ...
The variety of potential signaling combinations that results is enormous. A much studied example of gap junctions electrical signalling abilities is in the electrical synapses found on nerves. [19] [20] [21] In heart muscle gap junctions function to coordinate the beating of the heart. Adding even further to their versatility gap junctions can ...
Gap junctions play an important regulatory role in various physiological processes including signal propagation in cardiac muscles and tissue homeostasis of the liver. Modulation is required, since gap junctions must respond to their environment, whether through an increased expression or permeability.
Gap junctions are made of connexins in vertebrates and innexins in invertebrates. Electrical synapses are electrically conductive gap junctions between neurons . Gap junctions are critical for cardiac myocytes ; mice and humans deficient in a particular gap junction protein have severe heart development defects.