Gap Junctions and the Regulation of Cellular Functions of Stem Cells during Development and Differentiation

In multicellular organisms, the role of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis is becoming increasingly recognized as one of the major cellular functions from the start of the fertilized egg, through normal develop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Methods (San Diego, Calif.) Calif.), 2000-02, Vol.20 (2), p.245-264
Main Authors: Trosko, James E., Chang, Chia-Cheng, Wilson, Melinda R., Upham, Brad, Hayashi, Tomonori, Wade, Margaret
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Communication
Cell Differentiation
Connexins - analysis
Connexins - physiology
Embryo, Mammalian - physiology
Embryo, Nonmammalian
Fluorescent Dyes
Gap Junctions - physiology
Homeostasis
Isoquinolines
Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Stem Cells - cytology
Stem Cells - physiology
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Summary:In multicellular organisms, the role of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis is becoming increasingly recognized as one of the major cellular functions from the start of the fertilized egg, through normal development of the embryo and fetus, to the sexual maturation of the adult and ultimately to the maintenance of health of the aging adult. Given that the function of this membrane-associated protein channel is to synchronize electrotonic or metabolic functions, differential regulation of function at the transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels of a family of highly evolutionarily conserved genes (connexins) needs to be considered. Both inherited mutations and environmental modulation of GJIC could, in principle, affect the function of gap junctions to control cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis, thereby leading to a wide variety of pathologies. We review a few techniques used to characterize the ability of stem and progenitor cells to perform GJIC.
ISSN:1046-2023
1095-9130
DOI:10.1006/meth.1999.0941