The need for molecular heterogeneity of gap junction channel proteins in vivo has been enigmatic. Recently, functional replacement of one channel gene with another in mice and flies has revealed that cellular health depends not simply on gap junction communication but also requires the correct type of intercellular channel subunit.

Gap junctions are cell-to-cell junctions that are located in the basolateral surface of two adjoining cells. A gap junction channel is composed of a family of proteins called connexins. Gap junction channels maintain intercellular communication between two cells through the exchange of ions, small metabolites, and electrical signals. Gap junction channels or connexins are widespread in terms of...

Introduction: Gap junctions are specialized cell–cell contacts between eukaryotic cells through which they communicate. This type of communication has the potential to modulate memory process. We evaluated the effects of the gating of the hippocampal CA1 area gap junction channels on memory consolidation, using passive avoidance task. Materials and Methods: 72 adult male Wistar rats were distri...

BACKGROUND Formation of platelet plug initiates hemostasis after vascular injury and triggers thrombosis in ischemic disease. However, the mechanisms leading to the formation of a stable thrombus are poorly understood. Connexins comprise a family of proteins that form gap junctions enabling intercellular coordination of tissue activity, a process termed gap junctional intercellular communicatio...

The effect of fenamates on gap junctional intercellular communication was investigated in monolayers of normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts and of SKHep1 cells overexpressing the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43). Using two different methods to study gap junctional intercellular communication, single electrode voltage-clamp step response measurements and dye microinjection, we show that fe...