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

Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

9.6K
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...
9.6K
Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

57.1K
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...
57.1K
P-N junction01:11

P-N junction

1.2K
A p-n junction is formed when p-type and n-type semiconductor materials are joined together. At the interface of the p-n junction, holes from the p-side and electrons from the n-side begin to diffuse into the opposite sides due to the concentration gradient. This diffusion of carriers leads to a region around the junction where there are no free charge carriers, known as the depletion region. The charge density within the depletion region for the n-side and p-side can be described by the...
1.2K
The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

18.9K
The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
18.9K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

5.0K
Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
5.0K
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

6.4K
Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
6.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

3D Mitochondrial Structure in Aging Human Skeletal Muscle: Insights Into MFN-2-Mediated Changes.

Aging cell·2025
Same author

Quantitative assessment of morphological changes in lipid droplets and lipid-mito interactions with aging in brown adipose.

Journal of cellular physiology·2024
Same author

ASCB statement of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Molecular biology of the cell·2024
Same author

The power of junior faculty mentoring committees.

Journal of cellular physiology·2024
Same author

Engineered matrices reveal stiffness-mediated chemoresistance in patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids.

Nature materials·2024
Same author

The MICOS Complex Regulates Mitochondrial Structure and Oxidative Stress During Age-Dependent Structural Deficits in the Kidney.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Recording Gap Junction Current from Xenopus Oocytes
09:04

Recording Gap Junction Current from Xenopus Oocytes

Published on: January 21, 2022

2.7K

Visualization of Annular Gap Junction Vesicle Processing: The Interplay Between Annular Gap Junctions and

Cheryl L Bell1, Teresa I Shakespeare2, Amber R Smith3

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. clb206@pitt.edu.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 26, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Mitochondrial connexin 43 (Cx43) may protect the heart. This study reveals that annular gap junctions associate with mitochondria, potentially facilitating Cx43 delivery for cellular protection.

Keywords:
annular gap junction vesicleconnexingap junctionlysosomemitochondria

More Related Videos

Analysis of the Gap Junction-dependent Transfer of miRNA with 3D-FRAP Microscopy
06:26

Analysis of the Gap Junction-dependent Transfer of miRNA with 3D-FRAP Microscopy

Published on: June 19, 2017

9.3K
An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay
09:47

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

Published on: February 1, 2019

7.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Recording Gap Junction Current from Xenopus Oocytes
09:04

Recording Gap Junction Current from Xenopus Oocytes

Published on: January 21, 2022

2.7K
Analysis of the Gap Junction-dependent Transfer of miRNA with 3D-FRAP Microscopy
06:26

Analysis of the Gap Junction-dependent Transfer of miRNA with 3D-FRAP Microscopy

Published on: June 19, 2017

9.3K
An Iodide-Yellow Fluorescent Protein-Gap Junction-Intercellular Communication Assay
09:47

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

Published on: February 1, 2019

7.6K

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Mitochondrial function
  • Cardiovascular research

Background:

  • Gap junctions, formed by connexins, are known for cell-cell communication.
  • Mitochondrial connexin 43 (Cx43) is implicated in cardiac protection following ischemic preconditioning.
  • The mechanisms of Cx43 mitochondrial trafficking and its interactions with cellular structures remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intracellular localization and interactions of connexin 43 (Cx43).
  • To explore the relationship between Cx43-containing structures and organelles like mitochondria and lysosomes.
  • To understand potential pathways for Cx43 delivery to mitochondria.

Main Methods:

  • Immunocytochemistry
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Transmission electron microscopy

Main Results:

  • Cytoplasmic Cx43 was found in structures termed annular gap junctions.
  • Annular gap junctions showed significant associations with both lysosomes and mitochondria.
  • Mitochondria exhibited a higher frequency of association with annular gap junctions compared to lysosomes.

Conclusions:

  • Annular gap junctions interact closely with mitochondria.
  • These interactions may represent a mechanism for delivering Cx43 to mitochondria.
  • Annular gap junctions warrant further investigation beyond their role as degradation vesicles.