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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...

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: June 17, 2008

Study of gap junctions in human embryonic stem cells.

Raymond C B Wong¹, Alice Pébay

¹Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|November 13, 2009

Summary

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is vital for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) maintenance and function. This chapter details methods for studying GJIC in hESC proliferation, survival, and pluripotency.

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Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Probing for Mitochondrial Complex Activity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

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Published on: June 17, 2008

Single-cell Microinjection for Cell Communication Analysis

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A Functional Assay for Gap Junctional Examination; Electroporation of Adherent Cells on Indium-Tin Oxide

A Functional Assay for Gap Junctional Examination; Electroporation of Adherent Cells on Indium-Tin Oxide

Published on: October 18, 2014

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) plays diverse biological roles.
GJIC is essential for mouse embryonic stem cell maintenance and proliferation.
Functional GJIC is a common trait in human embryonic stem cells (hESC) across various culture conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce methodologies for investigating gap junctions in hESC.
To explore the role of GJIC in hESC proliferation, apoptosis, colony growth, and pluripotency.

Main Methods:

Assessing gap junction protein expression in hESC.
Conducting functional assays to measure GJIC in hESC.
Analyzing GJIC's impact on hESC proliferation and apoptosis.
Evaluating GJIC's role in hESC colony formation and pluripotency maintenance.

Main Results:

Established methods allow for comprehensive study of GJIC in hESC.
GJIC is demonstrably linked to key hESC behaviors.
Specific gap junction proteins and their functions in hESC are identifiable.

Conclusions:

Studying GJIC provides critical insights into hESC biology.
These methods facilitate further research into hESC regulation and therapeutic potential.
Understanding GJIC is key to optimizing hESC culture and applications.