title: Beyond the gap: functions of unpaired connexon channels.
abstract: Gap junctions consist of intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells directly and allow the exchange of small molecules. These channels are unique in that they span two plasma membranes--the more orthodox ion or ligand-gated channels span only one. Each cell contributes half of the intercellular channel, and each half is known as a connexon or hemichannel. Recent studies indicate that connexons are also active in single plasma membranes and that they might be essential in intercellular signalling beyond their incorporation into gap junctions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. daniel_goodenough@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Goodenough
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000235:genetics; D017630:Connexins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins