PathwayStep6421 PathwayStep6427 Regulation of gap junction activity Gap junction trafficking and regulation Authored: Gilleron, J, Segretain, D, Falk, MM, 2007-01-03 12:23:09 Edited: Matthews, L, 2007-01-26 11:57:49 Gap junctions are clusters of intercellular channels connecting adjacent cells and permitting the direct exchange of ions and small molecules between cells. These channels are composed of two hemichannels, or connexons, one located on each of the two neighboring cells. Each connexon is composed of 6 trans-membrane protein subunits of the connexin (Cx) family. A gap of approximately 3 nm remains between the adjacent cell membranes, but two connexons interact and dock head-to-head in the extra-cellular space forming a tightly sealed, double-membrane intercellular channel (see Segretain and Falk, 2004). The activity of these intercellular channels is regulated, particularly by intramolecular modifications such as phosphorylation which appears to regulate connexin turnover, gap junction assembly and the opening and closure (gating) of gap junction channels. Pubmed11146276 Pubmed11737941 Pubmed15033576 Pubmed15033577 Pubmed15094346 Pubmed17108328 Pubmed8522583 Pubmed8665925 Pubmed9861669 Reactome Database ID Release 43157858 Reactome, http://www.reactome.org ReactomeREACT_9480 Gap junction trafficking