Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions01:37

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 Junctions01:27

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...
Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

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
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Hearing, Voice and Speech Disorders in 10-Year-Old-Boy with Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD) - Case Study.

The application of clinical genetics·2026
Same author

Complex Diagnosis of Clinical Forms of Laryngitis Caused by Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD).

Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation·2026
Same author

Key Predictors of Adherence to a Mobile Health App for Managing Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Clinical and translational allergy·2025
Same author

Selecting Optimal Housekeeping Genes for RT-qPCR in Endometrial Cancer Studies: A Narrative Review.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

An overview on current practices regarding the diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria in pediatrics: An EAACI Task Force report.

Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology·2025
Same author

Affective temperament and emotional processing difficulties in women with PCOS and their potential impact on PCOS clinical presentation.

Ginekologia polska·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

[Structure and physiological function of connexin proteins].

Ryszard Rutkowski1, Bozena Kosztyła-Hojna, Luiza Kańczuga-Koda

  • 1Samodzielna Pracownia Diagnostyki Oddechowej i Bronchoskopii UM w Białymstoku. rutkowski@csk.pl

Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej (Online)
|November 28, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Connexins are proteins forming gap junctions for cell communication. Their classification and structure are key to understanding intercellular signaling and function.

More Related Videos

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
09:20

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay
09:47

An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay

Published on: February 1, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
09:20

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay
09:47

An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay

Published on: February 1, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Context:

  • Connexins are integral transmembrane proteins forming hemichannels (connexons).
  • These structures assemble into gap junctions, facilitating intercellular communication.
  • Gap junctions allow rapid electrical signal propagation and diffusion of small molecules.

Purpose:

  • To describe connexin protein structure and function.
  • To discuss connexin nomenclature and classification systems.
  • To highlight the importance of connexins in cellular processes.

Summary:

  • Connexins, with 20 human and 21 murine isoforms, exhibit diverse molecular weights (23-64 kDa) and unique sequences.
  • Despite variations, all connexins share a common 3-D structure: four transmembrane domains, extracellular loops, and cytoplasmic regions.
  • Cytoplasmic domains interact with other proteins, forming complexes vital for synchronized intercellular communication.

Impact:

  • Understanding connexin structure and classification is crucial for deciphering intercellular communication mechanisms.
  • This knowledge aids in studying diseases associated with connexin dysfunction.
  • Provides a foundation for research into novel therapeutic targets for gap junction-related disorders.