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Review

Diversity and properties of connexin gap junction channels

by
Mindaugas Račkauskas
,
Vaidas Neverauskas
* and
Vytenis Arvydas Skeberdis
Institute of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Medicina 2010, 46(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina46010001
Submission received: 24 November 2009 / Accepted: 4 January 2010 / Published: 9 January 2010

Abstract

Gap junction channels are composed of two apposing hemichannels (connexons) in the contiguous cells and provide a direct pathway for electrical and metabolic signaling between adjacent cells. The family of connexin genes comprises 20 members in the mouse and 21 genes in the human genome. Connexins are expressed in all tissues except differentiated skeletal muscle, erythrocytes, and mature sperm cells. Various tissues express more than one type of connexins; therefore, homotypic, heterotypic, and heteromeric gap junction channels may form between cells. In this article, we briefly review basic gating and permeability properties of homotypic and heterotypic gap junction channels as well as recent achievements in the research of their regulation by transjunctional voltage, intracellular calcium, pH, and phosphorylation.
Keywords: connexins; connexons; gap junction channels; structure; function connexins; connexons; gap junction channels; structure; function

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MDPI and ACS Style

Račkauskas, M.; Neverauskas, V.; Skeberdis, V.A. Diversity and properties of connexin gap junction channels. Medicina 2010, 46, 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina46010001

AMA Style

Račkauskas M, Neverauskas V, Skeberdis VA. Diversity and properties of connexin gap junction channels. Medicina. 2010; 46(1):1. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina46010001

Chicago/Turabian Style

Račkauskas, Mindaugas, Vaidas Neverauskas, and Vytenis Arvydas Skeberdis. 2010. "Diversity and properties of connexin gap junction channels" Medicina 46, no. 1: 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina46010001

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