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The Molecular Basis of Anisotropy : Role of Gap Junctions
Author(s) -
SAFFITZ JEFFREY E.,
DAVIS LLOYD M.,
DARROW BRUCE J.,
KANTER H.,
LAING JAMES G.,
BEYER ERIC C.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1995.tb00423.x
Subject(s) - gap junction , connexin , myocyte , ion channel , microbiology and biotechnology , electrical conduction system of the heart , intracellular , cardiac muscle , cardiac myocyte , biophysics , biology , medicine , anatomy , cardiology , receptor , genetics , electrocardiography
Role of Gap Junctions in Anisotropic Conduction. Electrical activation of the heart requires transfer of current from one discrete cardiac myocyte to another, a process that occurs at gap junctions. Recent advances in knowledge have established that, like most differentiated cells, individual cardiac myocytes express multiple gap junction channel proteins that are members of a multigene family of channel proteins called connexins. These proteins form channels with unique biophysical properties. Furthermore, functionally distinct cardiac tissues such as the nodes and bundles of the conduction system and atrial and ventricular muscle express different combinations of connexins. Myocytes in these tissues are interconnected by gap junctions that differ in a tissue‐specific manner in terms of their number, size, and three‐dimensional distribution. These observations suggest that both molecular and structural aspects of gap junctions are critical determinants of the anisotropic conduction properties of different cardiac tissues. Expression of multiple connexins also creates the possibility that “hybrid” channels composed of more than one connexin protein type can form, thus greatly increasing the potential for fine control of intercellular ion flow and communication within the heart.