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Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

58.2K
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...
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Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

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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...
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Patch Clamp01:18

Patch Clamp

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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.
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

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

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Electroporation Loading and Dye Transfer: A Safe and Robust Method to Probe Gap Junctional Coupling.

Elke Decrock1, Marijke De Bock1, Diego De Baere1

  • 1Physiology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|May 22, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel electroporation method to efficiently label cells for studying intercellular communication via gap junctions. This technique allows for rapid, non-damaging dye loading, enabling dynamic analysis of cell-to-cell signaling.

Keywords:
ConnexinDye transferElectroporationGap junctionIntercellular communicationTime-lapse imaging

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Intercellular communication via gap junction channels synchronizes cellular functions and maintains tissue homeostasis.
  • Gap junction channels are protein pores between adjacent cells, facilitating selective passage of small molecules and ions.
  • Understanding gap junction communication is crucial for various physiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a novel electroporation method for localized cell labeling.
  • To enable efficient and rapid assessment of gap junctional communication.
  • To provide a technique for dynamic and quantitative analysis of intercellular dye transfer.

Main Methods:

  • Localized electroporation of an adherent cell monolayer.
  • Introduction of a gap junction-permeable fluorescent reporter dye.
  • Time-lapse microscopy to track intercellular dye movement.

Main Results:

  • Rapid and efficient labeling of a localized cell patch.
  • No significant impact on cellular viability.
  • Successful dynamic and quantitative data acquisition on gap junctional communication.

Conclusions:

  • Electroporation is an effective method for studying gap junction communication.
  • The technique allows for precise, localized cell dye loading.
  • This approach facilitates detailed investigation of intercellular signaling dynamics.