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Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

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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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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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Contact-dependent Signaling

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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.
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Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

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Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
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Ion Channels

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The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
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G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
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Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
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Lens Connexin Channels Show Differential Permeability to Signaling Molecules.

Peter R Brink1, Virginijus Valiunas1, Thomas W White1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, NY 11794-8661, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Connexin channels control cell communication by regulating the passage of signaling molecules. Differences in connexin permeability, like for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), impact cell division and homeostasis in organs such as the ocular lens.

Keywords:
channelconnexingap junctionlenspermeabilitysecond messenger

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Gap junction channels facilitate direct intercellular communication via ions and second messengers.
  • Connexins are the protein subunits forming gap junction channels in chordates.
  • Different connexins form channels with unique permeability to signaling molecules like calcium ions, cyclic nucleotides, and inositol phosphates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the permeability of connexin channels (Cx43, Cx46, Cx50) to signaling molecules.
  • To correlate differences in channel permeability with in vivo consequences observed in transgenic animal studies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of connexin channel permeability studies.
  • Analysis of data from transgenic animal models with manipulated connexin genes.

Main Results:

  • Connexin channels exhibit distinct permeabilities to signaling molecules.
  • Differences in permeability to solutes like 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Variations in connexin channel permeability to larger solutes may regulate epithelial cell division, differentiation, and homeostasis.
  • These regulatory roles are suggested in organs like the ocular lens.