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

Introduction to the Skeletal System01:20

Introduction to the Skeletal System

10.7K
The skeletal system is the central framework of the body, consisting of different connective tissues: bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
10.7K
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

20.5K
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
20.5K
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

8.5K
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in...
8.5K
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

10.7K
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...
10.7K
Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

58.4K
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...
58.4K
Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue

8.0K
Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts—...
8.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (JBMR) 40th anniversary celebration: the fourth decade (part 1).

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2026
Same author

Sex-specific biomarkers predict bone mineral density loss at the contralateral hip after hip fracture.

Bone·2026
Same author

Bone inflammation in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes or obesity in relation to Wnt signaling and bone strength.

Metabolism: clinical and experimental·2026
Same author

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (JBMR) 40th anniversary celebration: the beginning and first decade.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2026
Same author

N-cadherin in osteolineage cells restrains breast cancer cell growth via inhibition of a PI3K-dependent, Tgf-β1-driven feed-forward loop.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Six Drivers of Aging Identified Among Genes Differentially Expressed With Age.

Aging cell·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification
07:23

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Published on: December 3, 2016

12.5K

Connexins in the skeleton.

Joseph P Stains1, Roberto Civitelli2

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|January 8, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Connexin43 (Cx43) is crucial for bone health, regulating bone modeling and remodeling by influencing osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Understanding Cx43's role may lead to new treatments for bone quality deterioration.

Keywords:
BoneCx37Cx43Gap junctionSignal transduction

More Related Videos

Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis
09:20

Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis

Published on: December 18, 2019

7.7K
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

16.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification
07:23

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Published on: December 3, 2016

12.5K
Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis
09:20

Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis

Published on: December 18, 2019

7.7K
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

16.8K

Area of Science:

  • Skeletal Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Bone remodeling requires coordinated osteoblast and osteoclast activity.
  • Connexin43 (Cx43) is a key protein involved in skeletal growth and homeostasis.
  • Mutations in the Cx43 gene (GJA1) cause skeletal dysplasias, highlighting Cx43's importance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of Cx43 in skeletal development and maintenance.
  • To explore Cx43's influence on osteolineage cells and bone quality.
  • To investigate Cx43's contribution to bone's response to external signals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of skeletal developmental abnormalities linked to GJA1 mutations.
  • Investigation of Cx43's direct actions on osteolineage cells.
  • Exploration of Cx43's function beyond gap junctions, including its role as a signaling scaffold.

Main Results:

  • Cx43 directly impacts osteolineage cells, affecting pro-osteoclastogenic factor production.
  • Cx43 is essential for peak bone mass acquisition, long bone modeling, and bone quality.
  • Cx43 modulates bone responsiveness to hormonal and mechanical stimuli.
  • Cx43 functions not only in gap junctions but also as a scaffold for signaling molecules.

Conclusions:

  • Cx43 is a critical regulator of skeletal development and homeostasis through diverse cellular mechanisms.
  • Targeting Cx43 may offer future therapeutic strategies for age-related bone loss and other conditions affecting bone quality.