Goldberg Gary S, Valiunas Virginijus, Brink Peter R
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Health Science Complex, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004 Mar 23;1662(1-2):96-101. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2003.11.022.
Gap junctions mediate the transfer of small cytoplasmic molecules between adjacent cells. A family of gap junction proteins exist that form channels with unique properties, and differ in their ability to mediate the transfer of specific molecules. Mutations in a number of individual gap junction proteins, called connexins, cause specific human diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand how gap junctions selectively move molecules between cells. Rules that dictate the ability of a molecule to travel through gap junction channels are complex. In addition to molecular weight and size, the ability of a solute to transverse these channels depends on its net charge, shape, and interactions with specific connexins that constitute gap junctions in particular cells. This review presents some data and interpretations pertaining to mechanisms that govern the differential transfer of signals through gap junction channels.
间隙连接介导相邻细胞间小的细胞质分子的转运。存在一类间隙连接蛋白家族，它们形成具有独特特性的通道，并且在介导特定分子转运的能力上有所不同。一些被称为连接蛋白的单个间隙连接蛋白发生突变会导致特定的人类疾病。因此，了解间隙连接如何在细胞间选择性地转运分子非常重要。决定分子通过间隙连接通道能力的规则很复杂。除了分子量和大小外，溶质穿过这些通道的能力还取决于其净电荷、形状以及与构成特定细胞中间隙连接的特定连接蛋白的相互作用。本综述展示了一些与通过间隙连接通道控制信号差异传递的机制相关的数据和解释。
