The rectification of heterotypic Cx46/Cx50 gap junction channels depends on intracellular magnesium
en-GBde-DEes-ESfr-FR

The rectification of heterotypic Cx46/Cx50 gap junction channels depends on intracellular magnesium

02/01/2025 Frontiers Journals

Key Points:

  • Gap Junctions and Lens Transparency: Gap junctions allow cells to communicate and share molecules, ensuring the eye lens remains clear.
  • Magnesium’s Impact: Higher magnesium levels reduce the conductance of gap junctions, especially those containing Cx46 proteins. This difference leads to a rectification effect in mixed Cx46/Cx50 gap junctions.
  • Structural Insights: A specific amino acid in Cx46 appears to be responsible for magnesium binding. Mutating this residue reduces the impact of magnesium on gap junction conductance.
  • Implications for Eye Health: This research offers valuable insights into cataract development and potential treatment targets. It also highlights the importance of magnesium for maintaining optimal gap junction

Why This Matters:

  • Cataract Treatment: Understanding how magnesium affects gap junctions could lead to new treatments for cataracts, a leading cause of vision loss.
  • Regulating Intercellular Communication: Magnesium regulation of gap junctions could have broader implications for tissue homeostasis and disease.

This research advances our understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating eye lens function and opens new avenues for potential treatments for eye diseases.

The work entitled “The rectification of heterotypic Cx46/Cx50 gap junction channels depends on intracellular magnesium”was published on Biophysics Reports (published on Oct., 2024).
DOI: 10.52601/bpr.2024.240015

https://journal.hep.com.cn/br/EN/10.52601/bpr.2024.240015
Attached files
  • Image: Single channel properties of heterotypic Cx46/Cx50 GJ in the absence and presence of intracellular Mg2+. 
02/01/2025 Frontiers Journals
Regions: Asia, China
Keywords: Science, Life Sciences

Disclaimer: AlphaGalileo is not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to AlphaGalileo by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the AlphaGalileo system.

Testimonials

For well over a decade, in my capacity as a researcher, broadcaster, and producer, I have relied heavily on Alphagalileo.
All of my work trips have been planned around stories that I've found on this site.
The under embargo section allows us to plan ahead and the news releases enable us to find key experts.
Going through the tailored daily updates is the best way to start the day. It's such a critical service for me and many of my colleagues.
Koula Bouloukos, Senior manager, Editorial & Production Underknown
We have used AlphaGalileo since its foundation but frankly we need it more than ever now to ensure our research news is heard across Europe, Asia and North America. As one of the UK’s leading research universities we want to continue to work with other outstanding researchers in Europe. AlphaGalileo helps us to continue to bring our research story to them and the rest of the world.
Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Media Relations at the University of Warwick
AlphaGalileo has helped us more than double our reach at SciDev.Net. The service has enabled our journalists around the world to reach the mainstream media with articles about the impact of science on people in low- and middle-income countries, leading to big increases in the number of SciDev.Net articles that have been republished.
Ben Deighton, SciDevNet

We Work Closely With...

  • BBC
  • The Times
  • National Geographic
  • The University of Edinburgh
  • University of Cambridge
  • iesResearch
Copyright 2025 by AlphaGalileo Terms Of Use Privacy Statement