Gap junctions couple astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
In vertebrates, a family of related proteins called connexins form gap junctions (GJs), which are intercellular channels. In the central nervous system (CNS), GJs couple oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (O/A junctions) and adjacent astrocytes (A/A junctions), but not adjacent oligodendrocytes, forming a "glial syncytium." Oligodendrocytes and astrocytes each express different connexins. Mutations of these connexin genes demonstrate that the proper functioning of myelin and oligodendrocytes requires the expression of these connexins. The physiological function of O/A and A/A junctions, however, remains to be illuminated.
Orthmann-Murphy
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA, lorthman@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abrams
Charles K
CK
Scherer
Steven S
SS
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002021:Buffers; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002021:Buffers; D017630:Connexins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011188:Potassium