Characterization of the connexin45 carboxyl-terminal domain structure and interactions with molecular partners.

ABSTRACT: Mechanisms underlying the initiation and persistence of lethal cardiac rhythms are of significant clinical and scientific interests. Gap junctions are principally involved in forming the electrical connections between myocytes, and changes in distribution, density, and properties are consistent characteristics in arrhythmic heart disease. Therefore, understanding the structure and function of gap junctions during normal and abnormal impulse propagation are essential in the control of arrhythmias. For example, Cx45 is predominately expressed in the specialized myocytes of the impulse generation and conduction system. In both ventricular and atrial human working myocytes, Cx45 is present in very low quantities. However, a reduction in Cx43 coupled with an increased Cx45 protein levels within

SUBMITTER: Kopanic JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4052358 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature