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Gap junctions use protein complexes known as connexons to connect one cell to another. The proteins are called connexins. Gap junction proteins include the more than 26 types of connexin, and at least 12 non-connexin components that make up the gap junction complex or nexus. [4]
Connexins are commonly named according to their molecular weights, e.g. Cx26 is the connexin protein of 26 kDa. A competing nomenclature is the gap junction protein system, where connexins are sorted by their α (GJA) and β (GJB) forms, with additional connexins grouped into the C, D and E groupings, followed by an identifying number, e.g. GJA1 corresponds to Cx43.
Gap junctions are collections of intercellular channels that allow ions and other tiny molecules to move directly between cells. [1] [14] These junctions are made up of a number of gap junction channels that consist of two connexons, each with six protein subunits called connexin, and a gene family of nearly 20 members encodes the connexins found in mammals [14] [15]
Gap junctions are often present at nerve endings such as in cardiac muscle and are important in maintaining homeostasis in the liver and proper function of the kidneys. The gap junction itself is a structure that is a specialized transmembrane protein formed by a connexon hemichannel. [8]
Phosphorylation of gap junctions and their subunits is typically achieved through protein kinases, enzymes that add phosphates to the amino acids of proteins. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] Serine/threonine kinases , which phosphorylate the hydroxyl group of serine or threonine residues, form the bulk of the Connexin phosphorylation kinases.
Gap junction proteins. Gap junction α (GJA) proteins. GJA1, Cx43, gap junction alpha-1 protein; GJA2, Cx38, gap junction alpha-2 protein; GJA3, Cx46, gap junction alpha-3 protein; GJA4, Cx37, gap junction alpha-4 protein; GJA5, Cx40, gap junction alpha-5 protein; GJA6, Cx33 gap junction alpha-6 protein; GJA7, Cx44.3-45.6, gap junction alpha-7 ...
The permeability of these junctions is dependent on a variety of factors including protein makeup of that junction, tissue type and signaling from the cells. [1] Tight junctions are made up of many different proteins. The four main transmembrane proteins are occludin, claudin, junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) and tricellulins. The ...
Gap junctions play vital roles in the human body, [11] including their role in the uniform contractile of the heart muscle. [11] They are also relevant in signal transfers in the brain, and their absence shows a decreased cell density in the brain. [12] Retinal and skin cells are also dependent on gap junctions in cell differentiation and ...