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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...
Patch Clamp01:18

Patch Clamp

Many fundamental cell functions such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission rely on the electrical signals produced by the movement of positively and negatively charged ions across the cell membrane. One competent method to record current flowing across the whole cell or single ion channel is the patch-clamp technique.
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Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)01:15

Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)

Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT) is an advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique specifically designed to detect and enhance the signals of low-abundance nuclei, such as carbon-13 and nitrogen-15, in small molecules. The fundamental principle behind INEPT is the transfer of polarization from a more abundant and highly polarizable nucleus, typically hydrogen-1, to the low-abundance nucleus of interest. This process effectively boosts the NMR signal of the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

A Functional Assay for Gap Junctional Examination; Electroporation of Adherent Cells on Indium-Tin Oxide
11:02

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

Published on: October 18, 2014

A novel, highly sensitive method for assessing gap junctional coupling.

Mingli Hou1, Yaqiao Li, David L Paul

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|August 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a sensitive method to measure intercellular communication using serotonin, which proved more effective than neurobiotin. This technique is adaptable for in vivo studies, simplifying tracer loading.

Keywords:
ConnexinDye transferGap junctionSerotonin

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

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Cut-loading: A Useful Tool for Examining the Extent of Gap Junction Tracer Coupling Between Retinal Neurons
10:11

Cut-loading: A Useful Tool for Examining the Extent of Gap Junction Tracer Coupling Between Retinal Neurons

Published on: January 12, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

A Functional Assay for Gap Junctional Examination; Electroporation of Adherent Cells on Indium-Tin Oxide
11:02

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

Published on: October 18, 2014

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

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

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Cut-loading: A Useful Tool for Examining the Extent of Gap Junction Tracer Coupling Between Retinal Neurons
10:11

Cut-loading: A Useful Tool for Examining the Extent of Gap Junction Tracer Coupling Between Retinal Neurons

Published on: January 12, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is crucial for tissue function.
  • Current tracer methods for assessing GJIC have limitations in sensitivity and in vivo application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a highly sensitive, in vivo adaptable tracer-based methodology for assessing gap junctional intercellular communication.
  • To compare the efficacy of serotonin as a tracer against established synthetic tracers.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a novel tracer-based methodology using serotonin and its transporter.
  • Utilized immunocytochemical techniques for detection of tracer and transporter.
  • Demonstrated replacement of mechanical loading with transfection and serotonin inclusion.

Main Results:

  • Serotonin revealed significantly greater intercellular communication compared to neurobiotin.
  • The new method allows for tracer loading via transfection, electroporation, or viral transduction.
  • Identified tracer-positive but transporter-negative cells as indicators of junctional communication.

Conclusions:

  • The developed serotonin-based method is a sensitive and potentially in vivo applicable tool for assessing GJIC.
  • This approach offers advantages over current methods, particularly in ease of tracer loading for in vivo studies.
  • Further research can explore the full potential of this methodology in various biological contexts.