Key result
A review of cardiac gap junction channels (Cx40, Cx43, Cx45) highlights their specific properties, modulation mechanisms, and the consequences of altered expression on cardiac function and disease.
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the properties, modulation, and pathophysiological relevance of cardiac gap junction channels (Cx40, Cx43, Cx45) in electrical impulse conduction.
Review synthesizes connexin roles in conduction and disease; extends prior knowledge but leaves open targeted interventions.
In the heart, intercellular gap junction channels constructed from connexin molecules are crucial for conduction of the electric impulse. Cardiomyocytes can be interconnected by channels composed of three types of connexin proteins: Cx40, Cx43 or Cx45. In mammalian hearts, these three isoforms are regionally differently expressed and even between the species differences exist. Each of these channel-types possesses specific properties and are susceptible to modulation by various mechanisms. In this paper we compare the differences in properties of these channels as deduced from studies on transfected cells and isolated cardiomyocytes and discuss the factors involved in modulation of channel properties. Next, we evaluate the consequences of alterations in expression and modulation of channel properties for cardiac function. Therefore, we have compared reports on genetically engineered animals and discuss this information in relation to various pathophysiological disorders.
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T. van Veen (2001) conducted a review in Cardiac gap junction channels and pathophysiological disorders. A review of cardiac gap junction channels (Cx40, Cx43, Cx45) highlights their specific properties, modulation mechanisms, and the consequences of altered expression on cardiac function and disease.
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