Gap junction trafficking and regulation

Stable Identifier
R-HSA-157858
Type
Pathway
Species
Homo sapiens
ReviewStatus
5/5
Locations in the PathwayBrowser
General
SVG |   | PPTX  | SBGN
Click the image above or here to open this pathway in the Pathway Browser
Gap junctions are clusters of intercellular channels connecting adjacent cells and permitting the direct exchange of ions and small molecules between cells. These channels are composed of two hemichannels, or connexons, one located on each of the two neighboring cells. Each connexon is composed of 6 trans-membrane protein subunits of the connexin (Cx) family. A gap of approximately 3 nm remains between the adjacent cell membranes, but two connexons interact and dock head-to-head in the extra-cellular space forming a tightly sealed, double-membrane intercellular channel (see Segretain and Falk, 2004). The activity of these intercellular channels is regulated, particularly by intramolecular modifications such as phosphorylation which appears to regulate connexin turnover, gap junction assembly and the opening and closure (gating) of gap junction channels.
Literature References
PubMed ID Title Journal Year
11737941 Learning the language of cell-cell communication through connexin channels

Bruzzone, R

Genome Biol 2001
15033576 Regulation of connexin biosynthesis, assembly, gap junction formation, and removal

Segretain, D, Falk, MM

Biochim Biophys Acta 2004
11146276 Human diseases: clues to cracking the connexin code?

Dunlop, J, Hodgins, MB, Kelsell, DP

Trends Cell Biol 2001
9861669 Diverse functions of vertebrate gap junctions

Simon, AM, Goodenough, DA

Trends Cell Biol 1998
Participants
Participates
Orthologous Events
Authored
Created
Cite Us!