Abstract
Intercellular communication among cells in the central nervous system can occur via surface-surface interactions, the release of neuroactive substances which bind to specialized receptors on other cells, or via the direct exchange of electrical or chemical signals between cells. The latter means of communication utilizes gap junctions, pores comprised of two hemichannels localized in both of two communicating cells. Each hemichannel is formed by six connexin molecules, being integral membrane proteins. The pore formed by the associated hemichannels has a diameter of approximately 1.2 nm and allows the passage of electrical charge, as well as small molecules.1
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© 1996 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Müller, C.M. (1996). Gap-Junctional Communication in Mammalian Cortical Astrocytes: Development, Modifiability and Possible Functions. In: Gap Junctions in the Nervous System. Neuroscience Intelligence Unit. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21935-5_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21935-5_12
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