A gap junction is a junction between certain animal cell-types that allows different molecules and ions to pass freely between cells. The junction connects the cytoplasm of cells. One Gap junction is composed of two connexons (or hemichannels) which connect across the intercellular space. They are analogous to the plasmodesmata that join plant cells.

In vertebrates, gap junction hemichannels are primarily homo- or hetero-hexamers of connexin proteins. Invertebrate gap junctions comprise proteins from the hypothetical innexin family. However, the recently characterized pannexin family, functionally similar but genetically distinct from connexins and expressed in both vertebrates and invertebrates, probably encompases the innexins.

Gap junctions formed from two identical hemichannels are called homotypic, while those with differing hemichannels are heterotypic. In turn, hemichannels of uniform connexin composition are called homomeric, while those with differing connexins are hetermeric. Channel composition is thought to influence the function of gap junction channels but it is not yet known how.

Generally, the genes coding for gap junctions are classified in one of three groups, based on sequence similarity: A, B and C (for example, GJA1, GJC1). However, genes do not code directly for the expression of gap junctions; genes can only produce the proteins which make up gap junctions (connexins). An alternative naming system based on this protein's molecular weight is also popular (for example: connexin43, connexin30.3).

Gap junctions are particularly important in the cardiac muscle: the signal to contract is passed efficiently through the gap junctions, allowing the heart muscle cells to contract in tandem. However, gap junctions are now known to be expressed in virtually all tissues of the body, with the exception of motile cell types such as sperm or erythrocytes. Several human genetic disorders are now associated with mutations in gap junction genes. Many of those affect the skin, because this tissue is heavily dependent upon gap junction communication for the regulation of differentiation and proliferation.

Overview of levels of organization

1. DNA to RNA to Connexin protein.
2. One connexin protein has four transmembrane domains
3. 6 Connexins create one Connexon (hemichannel). When different connexins join together to form one connexon, it is called a heteromeric connexon
4. Two hemichannels, joined together across a cell membrane comprise a Gap Junction.

When two identical connexons come together to form a Gap junction, it is called a homotypic GJ. When one homomeric gap junction and one heteromeric gap junction come together, it is called a heterotypic gap junction. When two heteromeric connexons join, it is also called a heteromeric Gap Junction.

1. Several gap junctions (hundreds) assemble into a macromolecular complex called a plaque.

Properties

1. Allows for direct electrical transmission between cells
2. Allows for chemical transmission between cells, through the transmission of small second messengers, such as IP₃ and Ca²⁺
3. Allows any molecule smaller than 1,000 Dalton to pass through

Areas of electrical coupling

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Neurons

There is not much coupling between neurons in the brain. Hot spots include the vestibular nucleus, the nucleus of trigeminal nerve and the inferior olivary nucleus. There has been some observation of weak neuron to glial cell coupling in the locus coeruleus, and in the cerebellum between Purkinje neurons and Bergman glial cells. It now seems that astrocytes are strongly coupled by gap junctions. Experimental data show strong gap junction expression in astrocytes. Moreover, mutations in the gap junction genes Cx43 and Cx56.6 cause white matter degeneration similar to that observed in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and multiple sclerosis.

Connexin proteins expressed in neurons

1. mCX26
2. mCX43
3. mCX36
4. mCX56.6
5. mCX57
6. mCX45
7. PX1
8. PX2

See also

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• Electrical synapse
• ion channel
• junctional complex

References

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Gap junction | Aukkoliitos