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Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

56.3K
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...
9.0K
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

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Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
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Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

Contact-dependent Signaling

46.5K
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...
46.5K
Overview of the Vascular System01:20

Overview of the Vascular System

3.3K
The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...
3.3K
Structure of Blood Vessels01:15

Structure of Blood Vessels

8.3K
Blood is circulated throughout the human body through a network of blood vessels called the circulatory system. This system includes arteries that transport blood from the heart to various body parts. These arterial pathways divide into smaller vessels until they reach the arterioles, which further split into capillaries. It is within these minuscule capillaries that the exchange of nutrients and waste products takes place. After this exchange, the blood is collected by venules, which fuse to...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
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Endothelial connexins in vascular function.

Aurélie Hautefort1, Anna Pfenniger1,2, Brenda R Kwak1,2

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Vascular Biology (Bristol, England)
|September 14, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Gap junctions, formed by connexins, are crucial for vascular communication and function. Understanding connexin roles in blood and lymphatic vessels is key to vascular health.

Keywords:
connexinendotheliumgap junctionintercellular communication

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Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Cellular Communication
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication in blood and lymphatic vasculature.
  • Connexins form gap junction channels, enabling ion and metabolite exchange between cells.
  • Intracellular connexin domains may act as protein interaction platforms, influencing cellular regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse roles of connexins in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
  • To investigate the significance of connexin fragments and their functions in the vascular wall.
  • To understand connexin expression patterns across different vascular types and their physiological implications.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of connexin expression in various blood and lymphatic vessels.
  • Utilizing connexin-knockout mouse models to study physiological functions.
  • Investigating the protein interaction capabilities of connexin intracellular domains.

Main Results:

  • Connexins are vital for coordinating vasomotor activity, endothelial permeability, and inflammation.
  • Connexin function is essential for angiogenesis and maintaining fluid balance.
  • Variations in connexin expression exist across different vascular structures.

Conclusions:

  • Connexins play indispensable roles in vascular physiology and homeostasis.
  • Further research into connexin fragments may reveal novel regulatory mechanisms.
  • Connexin-mediated communication is fundamental to vascular network function.