Alexander David B, Goldberg Gary S
Dept. of Physiology and Biophsyics, School of Medicine, Basic Science Tower L6, Health Science Complex, State University of New York at Stoneybrook, NY 11796-8661, USA.
Curr Med Chem. 2003 Oct;10(19):2045-58. doi: 10.2174/0929867033456927.
Gap junctions are unique intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. They are the only channels that mediate the direct cytoplasmic exchange of small hydrophilic molecules between cells--a process called gap junctional communication. Formed by a family of integral membrane proteins called connexins, gap junctions are dynamic multifunctional complexes that are essential for healthy vertebrate development and physiology. Defects in connexin proteins, and, therefore, in gap junctional communication, are associated with a large variety of pathologies in humans and experimental animals. Thus, knowledge of the molecules that pass through gap junction channels is extremely important. However, aside from some notable cases, the repertoire of biologically important transjunctional molecules remains relatively unexplored. Indeed, the study of the intercellular transfer of endogenous molecules presents formidable challenges. Here we review developments in identifying biologically relevant molecules that pass between cells through gap junction channels.
间隙连接是连接相邻细胞胞质的独特细胞间通道。它们是介导细胞间小亲水分子直接胞质交换的唯一通道，这一过程称为间隙连接通讯。间隙连接由一类称为连接蛋白的整合膜蛋白家族形成，是动态多功能复合物，对健康的脊椎动物发育和生理至关重要。连接蛋白的缺陷，进而间隙连接通讯的缺陷，与人类和实验动物的多种病理状况相关。因此，了解通过间隙连接通道的分子极为重要。然而，除了一些显著的例子外，具有生物学重要性的跨连接分子库仍相对未被探索。事实上，对内源性分子细胞间转移的研究面临巨大挑战。在此，我们综述了通过间隙连接通道在细胞间传递的生物学相关分子的鉴定进展。
