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Gap Junctions

Gap Junctions

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...

Gap Junctions

Gap Junctions

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...

Catenins

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

RNA Isolation from Mouse Ocular Lens Epithelium and Fiber Cell Bulk Masses

RNA Isolation from Mouse Ocular Lens Epithelium and Fiber Cell Bulk Masses

Published on: October 10, 2025

Connexins in lens development and cataractogenesis.

Xiaohua Gong¹, Catherine Cheng, Chun-hong Xia

¹School of Optometry and Vision Science Program, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. xgong@berkeley.edu

The Journal of Membrane Biology

|June 21, 2007

Summary

Connexins (Cx) form gap junctions crucial for lens transparency and development. Genetic studies reveal alpha3 and alpha8 connexins are vital for lens fiber cell maturation and preventing cataracts.

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Whole Mount Imaging to Visualize and Quantify Peripheral Lens Structure, Cell Morphology, and Organization

Whole Mount Imaging to Visualize and Quantify Peripheral Lens Structure, Cell Morphology, and Organization

Published on: January 19, 2024

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

The lens, an avascular organ, focuses light via intercellular gap junction channels.
Connexin proteins (Cx43, Cx46, Cx50) form these channels, facilitating transport of metabolites, ions, and water.
Understanding connexin roles is key to lens development and transparency.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the roles of alpha3 (Cx46) and alpha8 (Cx50) connexins in lens development and cataract formation.
To investigate how alterations in gap junction communication impact lens transparency.
To provide molecular insights into connexin functions in the eye lens.

Main Methods:

Genetic studies analyzing connexin function.
Physiological and biochemical analyses of lens tissue.
Examination of lens development and cataract formation in relation to connexin expression and function.

Main Results:

Alpha3 connexin is essential for maintaining lens transparency.
Alpha8 connexin is important for both lens growth and transparency.
Gap junction channels formed by alpha3 and alpha8 connexins are critical for lens fiber cell differentiation, elongation, and maturation.
Aberrant gap junction communication can lead to various types of cataracts.

Conclusions:

Connexins and gap junctions play essential roles in lens formation.
Proper gap junction communication is vital for establishing and maintaining lifelong lens transparency.
Molecular insights into connexin function offer potential targets for cataract prevention and treatment.