Description |
Gap junctions are extremely important structures that allow for communication between cells. They are thought to play roles in synchronization of cellular behavior, coupling of membrane potential between two cells, coordinated contraction of myocardial cells, and development. Although connexins (gap junction proteins) have been isolated and cloned in a variety of organisms, so far this feat has not been accomplished in invertebrates. In this paper I give a brief review of gap junctions and connexins and describe the methods and results of my work to isolate and clone an invertebrate connexin. |