Gap junction

Gap junctions are specialized intercellular connections between a multitude of animal cell-types. They directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules, ions and electrical impulses to directly pass through a regulated gate between cells.

Structure

One gap junction channel is composed of two connexons (or hemichannels), which connect across the intercellular space. Gap junctions are analogous to the plasmodesmata that join plant cells.

Function

Gap junctions occur in virtually all tissues of the body, with the exception of adult fully developed skeletal muscle and mobile cell types such as sperm or erythrocytes. They are not found in simpler organisms such as sponges and slime molds.

Clinical significance

Mutations in gap junction proteins, called connexins, can lead to a variety of human diseases, including erythrokeratodermia variabilis, hearing loss, skin disease, cataracts, and cardiac disease.

See also

• Cell junction
• Connexin
• Pannexin
• Innexin

References

Gap junction Resources
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