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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...

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
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...

Electrical Synapses

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

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

Can gap junctions deliver?

Peter R Brink¹, Virginijus Valiunas, Chris Gordon

¹Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. Peter.Brink@stonybrook.edu

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|October 12, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Extracellular delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) faces challenges. Cell-to-cell transfer via gap junctions offers a promising alternative for effective siRNA and miRNA delivery, bypassing extracellular limitations.

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Area of Science:

Cell biology
Molecular biology
Biotechnology

Background:

In vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is crucial for gene silencing therapies.
Extracellular delivery of siRNAs faces limitations such as dilution and immune responses.
Gap junction-mediated intercellular transfer presents an alternative delivery route.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the advantages and disadvantages of extracellular siRNA delivery versus cell-to-cell delivery.
To highlight the potential of gap junction-mediated transfer for therapeutic RNA delivery.
To discuss the role of connexins in facilitating cell-based RNA transfer.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on extracellular and intercellular RNA delivery mechanisms.
Analysis of the limitations associated with extracellular delivery of small interfering RNAs.
Examination of the principles and components of gap junction communication.

Main Results:

Extracellular delivery of siRNAs is often inefficient due to dilution and immunogenicity.
Gap junction-mediated transfer allows direct cell-to-cell movement of molecules, including siRNAs and miRNAs.
Connexin channels are key structures enabling this intercellular communication and molecule transfer.

Conclusions:

Cell-based delivery via gap junctions is a viable strategy to overcome extracellular delivery challenges for siRNAs and miRNAs.
Understanding connexin function is essential for optimizing gap junction-mediated RNA delivery.
This approach holds potential for advancing gene silencing therapies.