Overview

Grau. teurer Freund. ist aUe Theorie Und griln des Lebens goldner Baum All theory. dear friend. is gray But the golden tree of actual life springs ever green -Goethe Progress achieved in the last 25 years indicates that the establishment of inter- cellular junctions at the area of cell contact represents an important mechanism of intercellular communication. Evidence is available that intercellular channels are essential for electrical synchronization in excitable tissues and for the diffusion of molecules from cell to cell. This process of cell-to-cell communication is so reliable that it was pre- served throughout the evolutionary scale. As evolution generates diversity it is not surprising that gap junctions are not the same in all systems. It is known, for 2 instance, that junctional permeability is reduced by high free [Ca +]j in some cells or by a fall in pHi in others, or enhanced by cAMP. Our knowledge of the physiological modulators of junctional permeability is still scanty. Moreover, the compartmentalization of the intracellular milieu represents an additional complication in the interpretation of many studies of cell-to-cell communication. The present volume represents an effort to provide the reader with an actualized view of the mechanisms of cell communication and of the physiologi- cal and pathological implications of junctional and nonjunctional communica- tion. Let us hope that the content of this book helps future studies in establishing a better picture of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the process of intercellular communication.

Full Product Details

Author:   Walmor C. De Mello ,  Walmor C de Mello (Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, USA)
Publisher:   Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Imprint:   Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Edition:   Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1987
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.572kg
ISBN:  

9781461290667

ISBN 10:   146129066
Pages:   388
Publication Date:   01 November 2011
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

1 Gap Junction Structure.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Classification of Gap Junctions.- 3. Morphological Characterization of Type I Gap Junctions.- 3.1. Conventional Electron Microscopy.- 3.2. Quaternary Organization of the Gap Junction Channel.- 3.3. Possible Conformational Changes Involved in Gating.- 4. Morphological Characterization of Type II Gap Junctions.- 5. Morphological Characterization of Type III Gap Junctions.- 6. Conclusions.- 7. References.- 2 Modulation of Junctional Permeability.- 1. Introduction: Physiological Considerations.- 2. Are Gap Junctions Really Involved in Cell-to-Cell Communication?.- 3. Junctional Permeability.- 3.1. On the Regulation of Junctional Permeability.- 3.2. Na/Ca Exchange and Metabolic Inhibitors Alter the Electrical Coupling.- 3.3. Is Calcium a Physiological Modulator of Junctional Permeability?.- 3.4. Influence of Protons on Cell-to-Cell Communication.- 3.5. Cyclic AMP—A Physiological Regulator of Junctional Permeability?.- 4. Synaptic Transmission and Cell-to-Cell Coupling.- 5. Voltage Dependence.- 6. Antibodies.- 7. Influence of Temperature on gj.- 8. Pathological Implications of Junctional Conductance.- 8.1. Increased Junctional Resistance—A Cause for Slow Conduction, Reentry, and Cardiac Arrhythmias.- 8.2. Uncoupling Leads to Decreased Strength of Heartbeat.- 9. Conclusions.- 10. References.- 3 Permeability and Regulation of Gap Junction Channels in Cells and in Artificial Lipid Bilayers.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Evidence for Cell-to-Cell Channels at Gap Junctions.- 2.1. Structural Data.- 2.2. Structure-Function Studies.- 2.3. Data from Intracellular Injection of Antibodies to Gap Junctions.- 2.4. Junctional Proteins Make Channels in Artificial Lipid Systems.- 3. Cell-to-Cell Channel Gating and Permeability Modulation.- 3.1. Uncouplers.- 3.2. Uncoupling Intermediates.- 4. References.- 4 Electrotonic Coupling in the Nervous System.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Electrotonic Inhibition.- 3. Modulation of Electrotonic Coupling.- 3.1. Voltage-Dependent Gating (Rectification).- 3.2. Extrajunctional Membrane Effects (Functional Decoupling).- 3.3. Frequency Modulation (Filtering).- 3.4. Cytoplasmic and Neurohumoral Factors.- 3.5. Development and Regeneration.- 4. Experimental Determination of Electrotonic Coupling.- 4.1. Alternative Mechanisms of Intercellular Communication.- 4.2. Morphology.- 4.3. Electrophysiology.- 4.4. Dye Coupling.- 4.5. Metabolic Coupling.- 4.6. Pharmacology.- 5. Conclusion.- 6. References.- 5 Gap Junctions in Smooth Muscle.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Cell-to-Cell Junctions in Smooth Muscle.- 3. Do All Smooth Muscle Cells Have Gap Junctions?.- 3.1. Recognition of Gap Junctions in Smooth Muscle.- 3.2. Necessity of Gap Junctions for Coupling in Smooth Muscle.- 4. Regulation of Gap Junctions in Smooth Muscle.- 4.1. Myometrium: Control of Synthesis of Gap Junctions.- 4.2. Trachea.- 5. Conclusions.- 6. References.- 6 Cell Communication and Growth.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Basic Principles.- 2.1. Gap Junctions.- 2.2. Cell Proliferation.- 3. Possible Effects of Gap Junctions on Different Phases of the Cycle.- 3.1. G1 (GO)-Phase.- 3.2. S-Phase.- 3.3. G2-Phase.- 3.4. M-Phase.- 4. Evidence for Gap Junction Involvement in Control of Proliferation.- 4.1. Normal Cells.- 4.2. Cells Deficient in Growth Control.- 5. Conclusions and Future Considerations.- 6. References.- 7 Intercellular Communication in Embryos.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Oocyte.- 2.1. Oocyte Gap Junctions.- 2.2. The Control of Oocyte Maturation.- 3. Early Cleavage Stages.- 3.1. The Occurrence of Gap Junctions, Electrical Coupling, and Dye Coupling.- 3.2. Patterns of Communication in the Early Amphibian Embryo.- 4. Early Events in Development.- 4.1. Communication and Cell Determination in the Molluscan Embryo.- 4.2. Communication and Compaction in the Early Mouse Embryo.- 5. Compartments, Gradients, and Gap Junctions.- 5.1. Communication across Insect Compartment Borders.- 5.2. Communication in Insect Imaginal Disks.- 5.3. Communication in the Early Mouse Embryo.- 5.4. Gap Junctions and Gradients.- 6. Restriction of Communication Later in Development.- 6.1. Gap Junctional Uncoupling in Neural Tissues.- 6.2. Gap Junctional Uncoupling in Muscle Development.- 7. Using Antibodies to Explore the Role of Junctions in Development.- 8. Conclusions.- 9. References.- 8 Mechanisms of Cell-to-Cell Communication Not Involving Gap Junctions.- 1. Chemical Communication between Cells.- 2. On the Release of Neurotransmitters.- 3. Cell-to-Cell Communication through the Extracellular Space.- 3.1. Electrical Interaction between Cells.- 3.2. Nerve Growth Factor—An Example of Chemical Communication between Cells.- 3.3. A Trophic Factor Controls Skeletal Muscle Properties.- 3.4. Skeletal Muscle Properties Are Dependent on the Motor Neuron Type.- 3.5. Do Postsynaptic Cells Induce Changes in the Presynaptic Neuron?.- 3.6. Neural Death during Development.- 3.7. Cellular Slime Molds: Starvation Induces Communication.- 4. References.- 9 Cell-to-Cell Communication in Salivary Glands.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Anatomy.- 2.1. Appearance of Salivary Glands.- 2.2. Morphology.- 3. Electrical Evidence.- 3.1. Current-Clamp Studies on Intact Glands.- 3.2. Current-Clamp Studies on Cell Pairs.- 3.3. Voltage-Clamp Studies on Cell Pairs.- 3.4. Insect Development and Intercellular Coupling.- 4. Diffusional Evidence.- 4.1. Static Approach.- 4.2. Dynamic Approach.- 5. Pharmacology.- 5.1. Electrical Measurements on Intact Glands.- 5.2. Diffusional Studies on Intact Glands.- 5.3. Complications Due to Changes in Membrane Potential.- 5.4. Electrical Measurements on Cell Pairs.- 6. Physiological Role of Intercellular Coupling.- 7. Conclusions.- 8. References.- 10 Intercellular Communication in Arthropods: Biophysical, Ultrastructural, and Biochemical Approaches.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Detection and Analysis of Low-Resistance Pathways.- 2.1. Coupling Ratio.- 2.2. Cable Analysis.- 2.3. Ionic Coupling in Cell Sheets.- 2.4. Specificity of Cell-Cell Coupling.- 2.5. Modulation of Coupling.- 3. Junctional Permeability to Molecular Tracers.- 3.1. Fluorescent Tracers.- 3.2. Channel Diameter.- 3.3. Kinetic Analysis of Tracer Diffusion.- 4. Ultrastructure of Arthropod Gap Junctions.- 4.1. Thin Sections.- 4.2. Freeze-Fracture.- 4.3. Ultrastructure in Different States of Conductance.- 5. Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Gap Junctions.- 5.1. Isolation of Vertebrate Gap Junctions.- 5.2. Enrichment of Arthropod Cell Junctions.- 5.3. Biochemical Analysis of Arthropod Gap Junctions.- 5.4 Pseudo-Gap Junctions.- 6. Summary and Prospectives.- 7. References.

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