Gap junctions, animation. A gap junction is a channel between two adjacent cells. Each cell's plasma membrane (beige) holds hemichannels (orange), or connexons, that are each formed of six connexin subunit proteins. Where the plasma membranes are close to each other the connexons line up to form a channel that joins the two cells. One rotation of the six subunits about the central axis mediates the transition from an open to a closed state. When open ions and small molecules are able to pass passively through the channel. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit : | Science Photo Library / Biocosmos / Francis Leroy & Olivier Wautier |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Durée : | 19 Secondes |
Aspect ratio : | 16/9 |
Restrictions : | - |