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The role of junctional communication in animal tissues

In Vitro volume 16, pages 1049–1056 (1980)Cite this article

Summary

Permeable intercellular junctions are a common feature of most animal tissues. These junctions allow the free exchange of small ions and molecules between all the cells in coupled populations. Such limited syncytial interaction contributes to the integration of individual cells into organized tissues.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, Scotland

    John D. Pitts

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  1. John D. Pitts
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Additional information

This symposium was supported in part by Contract 263-MD-025754 from the National Cancer Institute and the Fogarty International Center.

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Pitts, J.D. The role of junctional communication in animal tissues. In Vitro 16, 1049–1056 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02619255

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Key words

  • gap junctions
  • junctional communication
  • tissue organization