Novartis Foundation Symposium 219 - Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Signalling in Health and Disease

Gap-junction channels, the cytoplasmic proteins that associate with them, and the transcriptional networks that regulate them are increasingly being viewed as critical communications hubs for cell signaling in health and disease. As a result, the term “nexus,” which was the original structural name for these focal intercellular links, is coming back into use with new proteomic and transcriptomic meanings. The retina is better understood than any other part of the vertebrate central nervous system in respect of its developmental patterning, its diverse neuronal types and circuits, and the emergence of its definitive structure-function correlations. Thus, studies of the junctional and nonjunctional nexus roles of gap-junction proteins in coordinating retinal development should throw useful light on cell signaling in other developing nervous tissues.

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Purinergic receptor- and gap junction-mediated intercellular signalling as a mechanism of heterosynaptic metaplasticity

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory ◽

10.1016/j.nlm.2013.05.010 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 105 ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Owen D. Jones ◽

Sarah R. Hulme ◽

Wickliffe C. Abraham

Keyword(s):

Gap Junction ◽

Purinergic Receptor ◽

Intercellular Signalling

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Direct Intercellular Communication in Health and Disease: An Overview

Scottish Medical Journal ◽

10.1177/003693308102600405 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 315-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. T. Green

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Small Molecules ◽

Gap Junction ◽

Intercellular Communication ◽

Cellular Metabolism ◽

Cell Coupling ◽

Cell Culture Techniques ◽

Culture Techniques ◽

Mammalian Tissues ◽

Health And Disease

Direct intercellular communication (cell to cell coupling) is a mechanism for the local transit of information between cells and supplements the endocrine and nervous systems. Electrophysiological, biochemical, histological and cell culture techniques have established the widespread existence of coupling in mammalian tissues, and the importance of the gap junction has been recognised. Information is carried in the form of ions and small molecules between cells, and sensitive apparatus exists within each cell for controlling the permeability of the junctional membrane. The system may be important in the control and co-ordination of cellular metabolism and growth in the embryo and in adult tissues. Disorders of direct intercellular communication may be important in the pathogenesis of some diseases, in particular cancer.

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