Structure and function of gap junctions in the developing brain

Gap-junction-dependent neuronal communication is widespread in the developing brain, and the prevalence of gap-junctional coupling is well correlated with specific developmental events. We summarize here our current knowledge of the contribution of gap junctions to brain development and propose that...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2006-11, Vol.326 (2), p.239-248
Main Authors: Bruzzone, Roberto, Dermietzel, Rolf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain
Brain - embryology
Brain - ultrastructure
calcium
Calcium Signaling - physiology
Cell adhesion & migration
Cell Communication - physiology
Cell cycle
Cell Cycle - physiology
Cell division
Cell Movement - physiology
connexins
functional properties
gap junctions
Gap Junctions - physiology
Gap Junctions - ultrastructure
Nerve Tissue Proteins - biosynthesis
neurogenesis
Neurons
Organogenesis - physiology
Prenatal development
Proteins
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Gap-junction-dependent neuronal communication is widespread in the developing brain, and the prevalence of gap-junctional coupling is well correlated with specific developmental events. We summarize here our current knowledge of the contribution of gap junctions to brain development and propose that they carry out this role by taking advantage of the full complement of their functional properties. Thus, hemichannel activation may represent a key step in the initiation of Ca²⁺ waves that coordinate cell cycle events during early prenatal neurogenesis, whereas both hemichannels and/or gap junctions may control the division and migration of cohorts of precusor cells during late prenatal neurogenesis. Finally, the recent discovery that pannexins, a novel group of proteins prominently expressed in the brain, are able to form both hemichannels and gap-junction channels suggests that we need to seek more than just connexins with respect to these junctions.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s00441-006-0287-0