Structure of the junction between communicating cells.
An 18-A resolution map of the 'gap junction' has been obtained by electron microscopy. The protein oligomer in the junctional membranes, the 'connexon', is a cyclinder composed of six subunits which are titled around its axis. Analysis of two different subunit configurations suggests how the connexon might regulate the passage of small molecules between cell interiors.
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins