title: Cell-cell connection to cardiac disease.
abstract: Intercalated disks (ICDs) are highly organized cell-cell adhesion structures, which connect cardiomyocytes to one another. They are composed of three major complexes: desmosomes, fascia adherens, and gap junctions. Desmosomes and fascia adherens junction are necessary for mechanically coupling and reinforcing cardiomyocytes, whereas gap junctions are essential for rapid electrical transmission between cells. Because human genetics and mouse models have revealed that mutations and/or deficiencies in various ICD components can lead to cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, considerable attention has focused on the biologic function of the ICD. This review will discuss recent scientific developments related to the ICD and focus on its role in regulating cardiac muscle structure, signaling, and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Ju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D017630:Connexins