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Related Experiment Videos

Three-dimensional structure of the gap junction connexon

G Perkins1, D Goodenough, G Sosinsky

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0322, USA. perkins@ncmir.ucsd.edu

Biophysical Journal
|February 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Gap junction channels, formed by connexons, facilitate direct cell-to-cell communication. This study reveals the connexon

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Structural biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Gap junctions mediate direct intercellular transfer of ions and small molecules through connexons.
  • Connexons, hexameric protein assemblies, form intercellular channels via extracellular interactions.
  • Connexin protein family exhibits selectivity in channel formation and requires congruent interfaces for function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the three-dimensional structure of a connexon.
  • To investigate the structural asymmetry between extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of connexons.
  • To understand the implications of hemichannel structure for unpaired connexons in plasma membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a novel biochemical procedure to isolate ordered arrays of connexons from split gap junctions.
  • Employed electron crystallographic methods for three-dimensional reconstruction of the connexon.
  • Analyzed structural features of extracellular and cytoplasmic domains.

Main Results:

  • A three-dimensional reconstruction of a connexon was successfully obtained.
  • The reconstruction highlighted significant structural asymmetry between the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains.
  • Distinct lobed structural features were assigned to the extracellular domains of the connexon.

Conclusions:

  • The determined hemichannel structure provides insights into connexon organization.
  • Structural asymmetry is a key feature of connexons, influencing their function.
  • Findings have implications for understanding the role of unpaired connexons in cellular membranes.

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