Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia.
Membr Cell Biol. 1998;11(6):793-801.
Current views on the molecular mechanisms of the pH dependence of gap junctions are mainly based on the experimental fact that extracellularly applied CO2 or other weak acids rapidly and reversibly block junctional conductance and also decrease intracellular pH. Data are presented suggesting that the mechanism of the uncoupling action of weak acids may be restricted to intracellular acidification. Hypotheses concerning possible protonation sites in the connexin molecules are also considered.
