Nonjunctional membrane in many cells contains connexin gap junction hemichannels (or connexons) that can open to allow permeation of small molecules. Opening of Cx43 hemichannels is infrequent in normal extracellular Ca(2+) and enhanced by low Ca(2+), positive membrane potentials, and dephosphorylation of critical residues. Here we report that lowering intracellular redox potential increases Cx...

This paper presents the results of a numerical study on the heat transfer performance and the removal process of fluid particles under the influence of magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection in a horizontal channel with an open cavity. The bottom wall of the cavity is heated at a constant temperature (Th) while the top wall of the channel is maintained at a relatively low temperature (Tc). Air wi...

The relative permeability sequences of the rat connexin 43 (rCx43) gap junction channel to seven cations and chloride were examined by double whole cell patch clamp recording of single gap junction channel currents in rCx43 transfected neuroblastoma 2A (N2A) cell pairs. The measured maximal single channel slope conductances (gammaj, in pS) of the junctional current-voltage relationships in 115 ...

In this study we report about the modulation of connexin45 (Cx45) gap junction channel properties by phosphorylation of the connexin molecules through different protein kinases. Phosphorylation of Cx45 was studied in HeLa cells transfected with mouse Cx45 (mCx45). Using Western blotting (WB) and immunocytochemistry, these cells were found exclusively positive for Cx45 and the protein was separa...

it was thought previously that cardiac muscle gap junctions provide low-resistance connections between cells and permit the local-circuit current to flow. some evidences show that myocardial cells may not require low-resistance connections for successful propagation of the action potential (ap). it seems that some other types of mechanisms must be involved in ap propagation. in this article, we...

Congenital myasthenias (CMs) arise from defects in neuromuscular junction-associated proteins. Deciphering the molecular bases of the CMs is required for therapy and illuminates structure-function relationships in these proteins. Here, we analyze the effects of a mutation in 1 of 4 homologous subunits in the AChR from a CM patient, a Leu to Pro mutation at position 42 of the delta subunit. The ...

The potential gap junction forming mouse connexin29 (Cx29) protein is concomitantly expressed with connexin32 (Cx32) in peripheral myelin forming Schwann cells and together with both Cx32 and connexin47 (Cx47) in oligodendrocytes of the CNS. To study the genomic structure and functional expression of Cx29, either primary cells or cell culture systems might be selected, from which the latter are...

PURPOSE: Pannexin 3 (Panx3) is a gap junction protein. We have previously shown that Panx3 plays multiple channel functions: 1) as a hemichannel to regulate intracellular ATP/cAMP levels between cells and the extracellular space, 2) as an ER calcium channel to regulate calcium flux within the cell, and 3) a gap junction to exchange ions and small molecules between cells. However, the role of Pa...

PURPOSE: Pannexin 3 (Panx3) is a gap junction protein. We have previously shown that Panx3 plays multiple channel functions: 1) as a hemichannel to regulate intracellular ATP/cAMP levels between cells and the extracellular space, 2) as an ER calcium channel to regulate calcium flux within the cell, and 3) a gap junction to exchange ions and small molecules between cells. However, the role of Pa...

Gating of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from a C(losed) to an O(pen) conformation is the initial event in the postsynaptic signaling cascade at the vertebrate nerve-muscle junction. Studies of receptor structure and function show that many residues in this large, five-subunit membrane protein contribute to the energy difference between C and O. Of special interest are amino acids located at...