Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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...

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Normative modeling for quantitative brain MRI phenotyping and biomarker discovery for pediatric leukodystrophies.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Axonal dying back of upper motor neurons in human ALS.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Unifying the Communities of Early-Onset Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV and Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease Through a Genetic Prevalence Study of <i>GBE1</i>-Related Disease.

JIMD reports·2026

Same author

Use of Brain MRI in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy: International Recommendations for Screening, Monitoring, and Research.

Neurology·2026

Same author

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related neuropathies.

Nature reviews. Disease primers·2026

Same author

Depletion of Microglia Increases Cortical Oligodendrocyte Density During Remyelination.

Glia·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Gap junctions couple astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Jennifer L Orthmann-Murphy¹, Charles K Abrams, Steven S Scherer

¹Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA, lorthman@mail.med.upenn.edu

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN

|February 1, 2008

Summary

Connexins form gap junctions in the central nervous system, crucial for oligodendrocyte and astrocyte communication. While connexin mutations impact myelin, the exact role of these glial gap junctions requires further investigation.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays

Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays

Published on: January 13, 2011

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Published on: November 26, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays

Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays

Published on: January 13, 2011

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices

Published on: November 26, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Vertebrates utilize connexins to form gap junctions (GJs), which are intercellular communication channels.
In the central nervous system (CNS), GJs mediate communication between oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (O/A junctions) and among astrocytes (A/A junctions), forming a glial syncytium.
Oligodendrocytes and astrocytes express distinct connexins, and mutations in these genes affect myelin and oligodendrocyte function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the physiological roles of oligodendrocyte-astrocyte (O/A) and astrocyte-astrocyte (A/A) gap junctions in the CNS.
To elucidate the functional significance of connexin-mediated glial communication.

Main Methods:

This study focuses on the expression and function of connexins in glial cells.
Analysis of connexin gene mutations and their impact on CNS function.
Investigating the formation and properties of the glial syncytium.

Main Results:

Connexin gene mutations impair the proper functioning of myelin and oligodendrocytes.
Gap junctions are essential for coupling astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and adjacent astrocytes.
The specific physiological functions of O/A and A/A junctions are not yet fully understood.

Conclusions:

Connexins are vital for CNS integrity, particularly for myelin and oligodendrocyte health.
While the necessity of connexins for glial communication is established, their precise physiological roles remain an open area of research.
Further studies are needed to fully understand the functional implications of O/A and A/A gap junctions.