title: Membrane nanotubes: novel communication between distant cells.
abstract: The many kinds of cell structures involved in cell-cell communication include tight junction, adherens junction and gap junction, but almost all are between adjacent cells. Recently, a general and dynamic membrane tether, termed tunneling nanotubes or membrane nanotubes (MNTs), was discovered to be involved in communication between distant cells. By facilitating intercellular communication, MNTs contribute to many biological functions and pathologic changes in cells. Many works have revealed the structure, formation and functional properties of MNTs. However, as novel structures, further research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides of Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Institute of Vascular Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
authors.forename: Jianghui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Youyi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D043942:Nanotubes