Multiple gap junction proteins (connexins) and channels have been identified in developing and adult heart. Functional expression of the three connexins found in chick heart (connexin42, connexin43, and connexin45) by stable transfection of communication-deficient neuro2A (N2A) cells revealed that all three connexin cDNAs are capable of forming physiologically distinct gap junctions that differ...

Gap junctions are sites where intercellular membrane channels are clustered that allow neighboring cells to pass small molecules directly between them. Gap junctional intercellular communication has been implicated in a variety of human diseases. Gap junction channels are assembled from a large family of proteins called connexins with each type of channel having some unique properties. Preimpla...

Gap junctional intercellular communication built by hemichannels on cell membrane is a functional syncytium which allows rapid transfer of ions and molecules between cells. Recent findings have shown that gap junction proteins, and specifically Cx43, can play a significant role in cell migration, tissue formation and organ development, impacting adhesion and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Some li...

Gap junctions, composed of connexin proteins in chordates, are the most ubiquitous form of intercellular communication. Complete connexin gene families have been identified from human (20) and mouse (19), revealing significant diversity in gap junction channels. We searched current databases and identified 37 putative zebrafish connexin genes, almost twice the number found in mammals. Phylogene...

Loss of gap junctions and impaired intercellular communication are characteristic features of pathological remodeling in heart failure as a result of stress or injury, yet the underlying regulatory mechanism has not been identified. Here, we report that in cultured myocytes, rapid loss of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) occurs in conjunction with the activation of c-Jun N-terminal ki...

Oestradiol increases the protein expression of connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions in myometrium but the effect of oestriol on gap junction expression has not been described previously. Oestriol is the most abundant free oestrogen in pregnant women and there is a marked surge in oestriol concentrations before term and idiopathic preterm labour. In order to determine whether oestriol may have a phys...

The scientific objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant β-carotene will prevent or reduce plaque disruption and thrombosis in atherosclerotic rabbits. This protective effect on plaque disruption will be mediated by enhanced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). This article is giving a brief description of the tactics to study the role of gap junction ...