Phospholipid and connexin association Aug 17, 2009
Paired connexin hemichannels form the intercellular channels that compose gap junction plaques while unpaired hemichannels have regulated functions in non-junctional plasma membrane. The importance of interactions between connexin channels and phospholipids is poorly understood. (BioMed Central)
New research helps explain how connexin hemichannels are kept closed May 27, 2009
Hemichannels are connexin channels that can dock with each other to create a gap junction across two plasma membranes. In the June 2009 issue of the Journal of General Physiology (JGP), Andrew Harris (University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey) discusses new research that provides insight into how hemichannels are kept closed and lays the framework for more specific questions regarding how they open in certain conditions as part of a junctional channel (1). (EurekAlert!)
The extracellular matrix controls gap junction protein expression and function in postnatal hippocampal neural progenitor cells Feb 24, 2009
Gap junction protein and extracellular matrix signalling systems act in concert to influence developmental specification of neural stem and progenitor cells ... These changes impact upon functional connexin-mediated hemichannel activity but not gap junctional intercellular communication. (BioMed Central)
One-tank trip: Cornelia Feb 20, 2009
The settlement was first called Rabun Gap Junction, then Blaine, and finally Cornelia. The railroad brought passengers escaping Atlanta s summer heat, and it took apples and peaches out to market. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
