Structural diversity of gap junctions. A review.
Gap junctions are plasma membrane specializations characterized as aggregates of intramembranous particles in two apposed membranes meeting particle-to-particle in the 2-4 nm intermembrane 'gap'. Recent thin-section and freeze-fracture evidence has revealed significant structural variations of gap junctional structure at various stages of development and from different organisms and tissues. It is suggested that a comparative analysis of these differences may provide clues to the specific biological functions(s) of these ubiquitous organelles.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008566:Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010802:Phylogeny; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D006728:Hormones