Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
Vcu Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
Tissue Barriers. 2022 Jan 2;10(1):1982349. doi: 10.1080/21688370.2021.1982349. Epub 2021 Oct 15.
Gap junctions are intercellular membrane channels consisting of connexin proteins, which contribute to direct cytoplasmic exchange of small molecules, substrates and metabolites between adjacent cells. These channels play important roles in neuronal differentiation, maintenance, survival and function. Gap junctions regulate differentiation of neurons from embryonic, neural and induced pluripotent stem cells. In addition, they control transdifferentiation of neurons from mesenchymal stem cells. The expression and levels of several connexins correlate with cell cycle changes and different stages of neurogenesis. Connexins such as Cx36, Cx45, and Cx26, play a crucial role in neuronal function. Several connexin knockout mice display lethal or severely impaired phenotypes. Aberrations in connexin expression is frequently associated with various neurodegenerative disorders. Gap junctions also act as promising therapeutic targets for neuronal regenerative medicine, because of their role in neural stem cell integration, injury and remyelination.
间隙连接是由连接蛋白组成的细胞间膜通道，有助于小分子、底物和代谢物在相邻细胞间直接进行细胞质交换。这些通道在神经元的分化、维持、存活和功能中发挥着重要作用。间隙连接调节胚胎、神经和诱导多能干细胞来源的神经元的分化。此外，它们控制着骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元的转分化。几种连接蛋白的表达和水平与细胞周期变化和神经发生的不同阶段相关。Cx36、Cx45 和 Cx26 等连接蛋白在神经元功能中起着至关重要的作用。几种连接蛋白敲除小鼠表现出致命或严重受损的表型。连接蛋白表达的异常常与各种神经退行性疾病有关。由于间隙连接在神经干细胞整合、损伤和髓鞘再生中的作用，它们也是神经元再生医学有前途的治疗靶点。
