A Review of Gap Junction Protein and its Potential Role in Nervous System-Related Disease
Qiong Xiang1, Xiao-Lin Liu1, Jia-Jia Chen1
1Institute of Medicine, Medical Research Center, Jishou University, Hunan, China.
Abstract:
Gap junction (GJ) is a special cell membrane structure composed of connexin. Connexin is widely distributed and expressed in all tissues except differentiated skeletal muscle, red blood cells, and mature sperm cells, which is related to the occurrence of many genetic diseases due to its mutation. Its function of regulating immune response, cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis makes it a therapeutic target for a variety of diseases. In this paper, the possible mechanism of its action in nervous system-related diseases and treatment are reviewed.
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