Helsinn Healthcare and Zealand Pharma Sign a Partnering Agreement for ZP1846, a Novel GLP-2 Agonist Nov 28, 2008
GAP-134/ZP1609; a gap junction modifier that prevents both ventricular and atrial arrhythmias in animal models. With its oral formulation, the molecule represents a novel paradigm for the potential chronic prevention of cardiac arrhythmias. (PR Newswire)
Gap junction protein vital to successful pregnancy, researchers find Sep 11, 2008
At the time of embryo implantation, this gap junction protein is essential to the rapid growth of new blood vessels needed to support the development of the embryo and allow it to implant in the uterine wall, the researchers discovered. The researchers chose to study Cx43 after analyzing genes that are activated in the presence of estrogen in uterine cells. (EurekAlert!)
Connexin-43 upregulation promotes tumor cell adhesion Jul 23, 2008
The modulation of gap junctional communication between tumor cells and between tumor and vascular endothelial cells during tumorigenesis and metastasis is complex. The notion of a role for loss of gap junctional intercellular communication in tumorigenesis and metastasis has been controversial ... Calcein Orange Red AM dye transfer by fluorescence imaging was used to evaluate the gap junction function. (BioMed Central)
Big headacheNew drugs promise much-needed boost to migraine care Jun 11, 2008
On the preventative side, early clinical trials are under way of a drug called tonabersat, the first of a new class called gap junction blockers, which work in a completely new way, influencing the chemistry at crucial points where nerve cells talk to each other. Nobody knows quite how the drugs work, but it is thought they may be able to dampen down the nerve cell over-activity associated with migraine. (BBC News -- Health)
BYU Graduate Gets Research Paper Published May 30, 2008
Alldredge's paper explores connectors between cells known as "gap junctions" ... "[Brett] made a huge impression on me when he gathered and read some 100 scientific articles on cellular gap junctions during his first six months in the lab," Busath said ... He hopes that his paper will "inspire gap junction research to continue in those directions aimed at providing people with novel, effective treatments.". (The Daily Universe, UT)
Close Relationship Between H. Pylori And Gastric Cancer Suggested Oct 31, 2007
Gap junctions are fundamental structures necessary for cell differentiation, tissular physiology and normal functions of the organs of the body. The loss of functional gap junctions has been described in cancer cells and led to the hypothesis that such type of intercellular communication is involved in the carcinogenesis process ... Up to now, a lot of data has been accumulated, confirming that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is frequently decreased or absent in cancers such as... (Science Daily)
Medical Nanoimaging Pinpoints Cause Of Cataracts Oct 25, 2007
A connexon is an assembly of 6 connexin molecules and forms a gap junction between the cytoplasm of two adjacent cells. The supramolecular architecture of junctional microdomains in native lens membranes N. Buzhynskyy, R. Hite, T. Walz, S Scheuring. (Science Daily)
The 'only show in town' retires Oct 9, 2007
Wallingford said he remembered a young man who was riding his bike across the country when his bike -- and his camera -- broke in Muddy Gap Junction. The man hitchhiked into town and while his bike was being fixed, he brought in his camera. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Neural Stem Cell Study Reveals Mechanism That May Play Role In Cancer Sep 12, 2007
And relatively overlooked in this process has been the possible role of so-called "gap junctions.". Gap junctions are pores, or channels, that form between cells ... In the current study, however, the team made the unexpected finding that gap junctions also play a crucial role in neuronal migration -- and that they function in a previously unrecognized way. (Science Daily)
Mechanism Discovered In Adult Stem Cell Regulation Aug 7, 2007
In this study, they turned to the role of gap junctional signals as regulators of adult stem cells in repair of injury ... They showed that when one of many specific gap junction channel types was abolished, the adult stem cell pool disappeared along with the regenerative capabilities, suggesting that gap junction-permeable signals are necessary to maintain stem cell state and tissue regeneration ... This research demonstrates a novel role for gap-junction proteins and suggest gap... (Science Daily)
New mechanism links smoking to lung damage Aug 7, 2007
They usually connect with an identical hemichannel from an adjoining cell to form a gap junction. By directly connecting two cells, gap junctions enable them to exchange the chemical signals they use to coordinate their activities and maintain metabolic and ionic homeostasis among connected cells in a tissue. (EurekAlert!)
Evidence found for novel brain cell communication Jul 17, 2007
There is, however, another means for nerve cells to communicate with one another, called gap junctions. Gap junctions allow electric current to flow directly from one cell to another, without involving the release and diffusion of transmitter chemicals, and may be thought of as short circuits linking or cutting across the pathways through which cells normally communicate ... Gap junctions are found in many parts of the body, such as the heart. (EurekAlert!)
Left-right Wiring Determined By Neural Communication In The Embryonic Worm May 19, 2007
This pattern is created by an unexpected network of gap junction channels in the worm embryo ... In a study released in the May 18 issue of Cell, the researchers show that embryonic worms have a system of gap junctions -- "broadband" communication channels through which cells pass many kinds of molecules and electrical signals -- that allow growing neurons on the left and right to communicate with each other, a system that dissolves as the worm develops ... "What is it that sets up this kind of... (Science Daily)
CoDa Therapeutics Secures $10.0 Million in Additional Series A Financing Feb 22, 2007
"This is a very exciting opportunity, for investors and patients alike, and we believe that CoDa's first clinical indication, enhancement of healing following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), is an ideal initial ocular indication to demonstrate the ability of its lead drug candidate, Nexagon(TM), to increase the rate of re-epithelialization while potentially reducing inflammation and scarring." About Nexagon(TM) CoDa's technology includes the company's lead drug product Nexagon(TM), a patented... (PR Newswire)
Topical gel appears to speed healing Jan 13, 2007
Green and Becker were doing research in gap junction proteins, the cell-to-cell communication system that allows cells in the body to talk to one another ... The gel is designed to inhibit the formation of gap junction proteins, muzzling the injured cells and slowing the spread of damage, inflammation and swelling. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
