Gap junction

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The purpose of this study was to examine transient plasma membrane disruptions (TPMDs) and TPMD-induced Ca++ waves (TPMD Ca++ Wvs) in human and mouse corneal epithelium (HCEC and MCEC). A multi-photon microscope was used to create laser-induced TPMDs in single cultured cells and in intact ex vivo and in vivo MCECs and ex vivo human cornea rim HCECs. Eye rubbing-induced TPMDs were studied by gentle rubbing with a cotton tipped applicator over a closed eyelid in ex vivo and in vivo MCECs. Ca++ sources for TPMD-induced Ca++ waves were explored using Ca++ channel inhibitors and Ca++-free media...

Topological phases in laterally confined low-dimensional nanographenes have emerged as versatile design tools that can imbue otherwise unremarkable materials with exotic band structures ranging from topological semiconductors and quantum dots to intrinsically metallic bands. The periodic boundary conditions that define the topology of a given lattice have thus far prevented the translation of this technology to the quasi-zero-dimensional (0D) domain of small molecular structures. Here, we describe the synthesis of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) featuring two localized zero modes (ZMs) formed by the topological junction interface between a trivial and nontrivial phase within a single molecule...

In the present study, our aim was to explore the role of MUC4 in IL-4-stimulated conjunctival epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. Human recombinant IL-4 was employed in human conjunctival epithelial cells (HConEpic) cells, and MUC4 shRNA (sh-MUC4) was constructed to explore the functional role of MUC4. The protein level of MUC4, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), O-GlcNAc hydrolase (OGA), zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2), claudin-8 (CLDN8), and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot in HConEpic cells, the interaction between MUC4 and OGT/OGA was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot in 293T cells...

Different molecular classifications for gastric cancer (GC) have been proposed based on multi-omics platforms with the long-term goal of improved precision treatment. However, the GC (phospho)proteome remains incompletely characterized, particularly at the level of tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, previous multiomics-based stratification of patient cohorts has lacked identification of corresponding cell line models and comprehensive validation of broad or subgroup-selective therapeutic targets. To address these knowledge gaps, we applied a reverse approach, undertaking the most comprehensive (phospho)proteomic analysis of GC cell lines to date and cross-validating this using publicly available data...

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Pathogenic DNA alterations in GJB2 are present in nearly half of non-syndromic hearing loss cases with autosomal recessive inheritance. The most frequent variant in GJB2 causing non-syndromic hearing loss is the frameshifting c.35del. GJB2 encodes Cx26, a protein of the connexin family that assembles hemichannels and gap junctions. The expression of paralogous proteins is believed to compensate for the loss of function of specific connexins. As Cx26 has been involved in cell differentiation in distinct tissues, we employed stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs), homozygous for the c...

This is a case of a 20-year-old pregnant female presenting EKG abnormalities associated with an overdose of bupropion. These ECG abnormalities are prolongation of the QRS, prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc), right axis deviation, and a terminal R wave. The propagation of electricity through the myocardium is dependent on many factors. It is dependent on the flow of sodium from the extracellular to intracellular space, flow of potassium from intracellular to extracellular space, and ultimately the propagation of the signal at the gap junction by Connexin 43 (Cx-43)...

In recent years, antimony sulfide (Sb2 S3 ) has been investigated as a photovoltaic absorber material due to its suitable absorber coefficient, direct band gap, extinction coefficient, earth-abundant, and environmentally friendly constituents. Therefore, this work proposes Sb2 S3 film preparation by an effective two-step process using a new graphite box design and sulfur distribution, which has a high repeatability level and can be scalable. First, an Sb thin film was deposited using the RF-Sputtering technique, and after that, the samples were annealed with elemental sulfur into a graphite box, varying the sulfurization time from 20 to 50 min...

With the rapid progress in a power conversion efficiency reaching up to 26.1%, which is among the highest efficiency for single-junction solar cells, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have become a research focus in photovoltaic technology all over the world, while the instability of these perovskite solar cells, due to the decomposition of its unstable organic components, has restricted the development of all-inorganic perovskite solar cells. In recent years, Br-mixed halogen all-inorganic perovskites (CsPbI3-xBrx) have aroused great interests due to their ability to balance the band gap and phase stability of pure CsPbX3...

Tissue development occurs through a complex interplay between many individual cells. Yet, the fundamental question of how collective tissue behavior emerges from heterogeneous and noisy information processing and transfer at the single-cell level remains unknown. Here, we reveal that tissue scale signaling regulation can arise from local gap-junction mediated cell-cell signaling through the spatiotemporal establishment of an intermediate-scale of transient multicellular communication communities over the course of tissue development...

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmia is the most common cardiac complication after ischemic stroke. Connexin 40 is the staple component of gap junctions, which influences the propagation of cardiac electrical signals in the sinoatrial node. However, the role of connexin 40 in post-stroke arrhythmia remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model was used to simulate the occurrence of an ischemic stroke. Subsequently, an electrocardiogram was utilized to record and assess variations in electrocardiogram measures...

AIMS: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterised by an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, ultimately leading to right ventricular failure and death. We have previously shown that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical role in PH. Our objectives here were to determine whether NGF controls Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression and function in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle, and whether this mechanism contributes to NGF-induced pulmonary artery hyperreactivity. METHODS AND RESULTS: NGF activates its TrkA receptor to increase Cx43 expression, phosphorylation, and localization at the plasma membrane in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, thus leading to enhanced activity of Cx43-dependent GAP junctions as shown by Lucifer Yellow dye assay transfer and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching -FRAP- experiments...

Intercellular communication via gap junctions has a fundamental role in regulating cell growth and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation may be involved in cancer development and radio- and chemotherapy resistance. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitously expressed gap junction channel protein in human tissues. Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulation of the sorting of Cx43 to lysosomes is important in mediating the loss of Cx43-based gap junctions in cancer cells. However, the molecular basis underlying this process is currently poorly understood...

BACKGROUND: Hypertonic sodium bicarbonate is advocated for the treatment of sodium channel blocker poisoning, but its efficacy varies amongst different sodium channel blockers. This Commentary addresses common pitfalls and appropriate usage of hypertonic sodium bicarbonate therapy in cardiotoxic drug poisonings. SODIUM BICARBONATE WORKS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH HYPERVENTILATION: Serum alkalinization is best achieved by the synergistic effect of hypertonic sodium bicarbonate and hyperventilation (PCO2 ∼ 30-35 mmHg [0...

Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating condition caused by nerve injury or a variety of diseases. At the core of neuropathic pain lies the aberrant neuronal excitability in the peripheral and/or central nervous system (PNS and CNS). Enhanced connexin expression and abnormal activation of connexin-assembled gap junctional channels are prominent in neuropathic pain along with reactive gliosis, contributing to neuronal hypersensitivity and hyperexcitability. In this review, we delve into the current understanding of how connexin expression and function contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neuropathic pain and argue for connexins as potential therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain management...

We theoretically study the crossed Andreev reflection (CAR) of the normal mental-superconductor-normal mental (NSN) heterojunction based on Kekulé-Y patterned graphene with two doping types of the right region, i.e., nSn and nSp configurations. It is found that the enhanced CAR is more likely to occur in the nSp configuration rather than the nSn configuration. To be concrete, the almost perfect CAR occurs in a large range of incident angle in the single Dirac cone phase when the incident energy is inside the gap of the nonlinear band...

Physiological and pathological processes such as homeostasis, embryogenesis, development, tumorigenesis, and cell movement depend on the intercellular communication through gap junctions (GJIC). Connexin (Cx)-based GJ channels are formed of two apposing hemichannels in the contiguous cells and provide a direct pathway for electrical and metabolic intercellular communication. The main modulators of GJ conductance are transjunctional voltage, intracellular pH, Ca2+ , Mg2+ , and phosphorylation. Chemical modulators of GJIC are being used in cases of various intercellular communication-dependent diseases...

Tooth formation is a process tightly regulated by reciprocal interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. These epithelial-mesenchyme interactions regulate the expression of target genes via transcription factors. Among the regulatory elements governing this process, Epiprofin/Sp6 is a zinc finger transcription factor which is expressed in the embryonic dental epithelium and in differentiating pre-odontoblasts. Epiprofin knockout ( Epfn -/-) mice present severe dental abnormalities, such as supernumerary teeth and enamel hypoplasia...

In this study, as a novel approach to thin-film solar cells based on tin sulfide, an environmentally friendly material, we attempted to fabricate (Ge, Sn)S thin films for application in multi-junction solar cells. A (Ge0.42 Sn0.58 )S thin film was prepared via co-evaporation. The (Ge0.42 Sn0.58 )S thin film formed a (Ge, Sn)S solid solution, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analyses. The open circuit voltage ( V oc ), short circuit current density ( J sc ), fill factor ( FF ), and power conversion efficiency ( PCE ) of (Ge0...