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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...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

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 Junctions01:14

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...
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...

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Single-cell Microinjection for Cell Communication Analysis
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Lymphatic communication: connexin junction, what's your function?

J D Kanady1, A M Simon

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.

Lymphology
|December 15, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Connexin proteins are essential for lymphatic development and function. Mouse studies reveal connexins are crucial for forming normal lymphatic vessels, highlighting their importance in vascular biology.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Connexin proteins form gap junctions, vital for intercellular communication.
  • The role of connexins in lymphatic vasculature development and function is under active investigation.
  • Understanding connexin roles is key to lymphatic system health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on connexin expression and function in lymphatic vasculature.
  • To highlight the critical role of connexins in lymphatic development using mouse models.
  • To explore both channel-dependent and channel-independent functions of connexins.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of findings from mouse connexin knockout studies.
  • Discussion of established and proposed connexin functions.

Main Results:

  • Connexins are indispensable for normal lymphatic vasculature development.
  • Connexin knockout studies demonstrate their crucial role.
  • Both channel-dependent and channel-independent functions are implicated.

Conclusions:

  • Connexins play a fundamental role in lymphatic system development and maintenance.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate connexin mechanisms and physiological roles in lymphatics.
  • Connexins are key targets for understanding lymphatic vascular diseases.