As the first fully genetically encoded method, PARIS allows cell-specific, long-term, repeated measurements of gap junctional coupling with high spatiotemporal resolution, facilitating its study in both health and disease.
Melanophores and xanthophores interact via heteromeric gap junctions composed of Connexin 41.8 and Connexin 39.4 to establish the adult pigment pattern in zebrafish.
Electrophysiological recordings show that cones in the eyes of mice are able to receive strong input from rods via gap junctions, supporting the view that this route plays an important role in vision.
Gap junctions exist in Kenyon cells and Kenyon cell-mushroom body output neuron neural networks, and are also critical in visual learning and memory in Drosophila.
Genetic study of C. elegans neural development reveals the function of glia-neuron gap junctions in neuronal axon specification, and shows that glial cells regulate neuronal intracellular pathways through gap junctions.
Malonyl-CoA, the rate-limiting substrate for fatty acid synthesis, is produced in the soma and delivered through gap junctions to the germline to promote reproduction and coordinate it with nutritional status.
Dopamine is able to ensure that neural networks maintain critical features of their output, such as synchrony of neuron firing, by directly increasing coupling strength to ensure robust output is maintained.
Endothelial YAP/TAZ shape the developing vasculature by orchestrating mechanical inputs with BMP signalling to promote junctional VE-Cadherin turnover and cellular rearrangements.
