Gap junction modulation and its implications for heart function

Gap junction modulation and its implications for heart function

Gap junction communication (GJC) mediated by connexins is critical for heart function. To gain insight into the causal relationship of molecular mechanisms of disease pathology, it is important to understand which mechanisms contribute to impairment of gap junctional communication. Here, we present an update on the known modulators of connexins, including various interaction partners, kinases, ...

Gap junction function and cancer.

Gap junctions (GJs) provide cell-to-cell communication of essential metabolites and ions. GJs allow tissues to average responses, clear waste products, and minimize the effects of xenobiotics by dilution and allowing steady-state catabolism. Many chemicals can adversely affect the membrane GJ assembly causing reversible alterations in GJ intercellular communication. During toxicity essential me...

Physiological modulation of gap junction permeability.

In many tissues cells communicate directly through arrays of intercellular channels which are organized to form gap junctions. These channels are permeant to inorganic ions as well as to small hydrophilic molecules up to Mr 2000. The electrical and chemical coupling provided by such junctions is under the control of intracellular and, in many cases, extracellular substances. The latter (hormone...

Heart Rate and Extracellular Sodium and Potassium Modulation of Gap Junction Mediated Conduction in Guinea Pigs

BACKGROUND Recent studies suggested that cardiac conduction in murine hearts with narrow perinexi and 50% reduced connexin43 (Cx43) expression is more sensitive to relatively physiological changes of extracellular potassium ([K(+)]o) and sodium ([Na(+)]o). PURPOSE Determine whether similar [K(+)]o and [Na(+)]o changes alter conduction velocity (CV) sensitivity to pharmacologic gap junction (G...

[Attractive target for cancer, gap junction and its components, connexin].