Reactome | Gap junction trafficking and regulation

Gap junction trafficking and regulation

Stable Identifier

R-HSA-157858

Type

Pathway

Species

Homo sapiens

ReviewStatus

5/5

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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? Kelsell, DP, Dunlop, J, Hodgins, MB	Trends Cell Biol	2001
9861669	Diverse functions of vertebrate gap junctions Simon, AM, Goodenough, DA	Trends Cell Biol	1998