Peptides acting at gap junctions.

Stefan Dhein

doi:10.1016/s0196-9781(02)00113-4

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Peptides acting at gap junctions.

Stefan Dhein

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Abstract

Gap junction channels are low resistance pathways allowing an action potential to propagate from one cell to the neighboring. Moreover, small molecules (<1000 Da) may pass the channel providing a possibility for metabolic coupling, growth and differentiation control of a cell by its surrounding. Antiarrhythmic peptides can enhance the conductivity of the channels while other peptides, angiotensin or extracellular loop peptides, reduce intercellular communication. On the other hand, peptides like angiotensin II or endothelin-1 can increase expression of certain gap junction channel proteins and, thereby, may affect intercellular coupling chronically. Thus, intercellular communication can be controlled using peptide drugs.

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Amino Acid Motifs Angiotensins Animals Connexins Endothelins Gap Junctions Humans Models, Biological Models, Chemical Peptides Phosphorylation Signal Transduction Journal Article Review

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Stefan Dhein. 2002. Peptides acting at gap junctions.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0196-9781(02)00113-4

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