Biology 2581B Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Connexin, Gap Junction, Connexon
2 May 2020
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Document Summary
Signal are connected into intracellular biochemical reactions that ultimately induce the required cellular functions. Direct cytoplasmic communication between adjacent human cell. Allows some molecules and ions to pass freely between cells. In vertebrate cells, gab junctions comprise of 2 connexons. Each connexon comprise of 6 connexin protein molecules. Each connexin protein has 4 transmembrane domains (m) with 2 extracellular loops (e), 1 intracellular loop (cl) and both intracellular n- and c- termini. 24 different connexins in human cells, named based on size. Multiple channels comprise a gap junction plague. 1- a ligand can travel some distance to a target cell. 2- a ligand can act on the same cell which produced that signal (autocrine) 3- a ligand can act an neighbouring cell (paracrine) 4- a ligand can be a plasma membrane protein, lipid or oligosaccharide on the sending cell, this can bind on receptor on receiving cell, it requires cell-cell contact (juxtracrine)
