Overview
Gap junctions are specialized cell-to-cell connections present in most animal cells that are made up of proteins called connexins. These connexins help to create a direct and very rapid communication channel between neighboring cells, allowing ions and small molecules to directly pass and exchange information between the cells. This exchange of small molecules, such as ions, amino acids, sugars and nucleotides, is essential for many important biological processes such as tissue regeneration, cell differentiation and embryonic development. Gap junctions also play a key role in the integration of skeletal muscle contractions and in coordinating heart cells to beat in unison. They are also beneficial in the treatment of various lethal genetic disorders.