Department of Neuroanatomy and Molecular Brain Research, Ruhr University Bochum, University Street 150, Bochum, 44801, Germany.
Pflugers Arch. 2010 Jul;460(2):451-66. doi: 10.1007/s00424-010-0789-1. Epub 2010 Feb 7.
Gap junctions (GJ) provide direct intercellular communication. The structures underlying these cell junctions are membrane-associated channels composed of six integral membrane connexin (Cx) proteins, which can form communicating channels connecting the cytoplasms of adjacent cells. This provides coupled cells with a direct pathway for sharing ions, nutrients, or small metabolites to establish electrical coupling or balancing metabolites in various tissues. Genetic approaches have uncovered a still growing number of mutations in Cxs related to human diseases including deafness, skin disease, peripheral and central neuropathies, cataracts, or cardiovascular dysfunctions. The discovery of a growing number of inherited human disorders provides an unequivocal demonstration that gap junctional communication is crucial for diverse physiological processes.
缝隙连接 (GJ) 提供直接的细胞间通讯。这些细胞连接的结构基础是由六个整合膜连接蛋白 (Cx) 组成的膜相关通道，它们可以形成连接相邻细胞细胞质的通讯通道。这为偶联细胞提供了共享离子、营养物质或小分子代谢物的直接途径，以建立电偶联或平衡各种组织中的代谢物。遗传方法已经发现了越来越多与人类疾病相关的 Cx 基因突变，包括耳聋、皮肤病、周围和中枢神经病变、白内障或心血管功能障碍。越来越多遗传性人类疾病的发现明确证明了缝隙连接通讯对于各种生理过程至关重要。
