Gap junctions in developing neocortex: a review

• Published in: Brain Research Reviews Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 216 - 226
• Main Authors: Montoro, Rafael J., Yuste, Rafael
• Format: Book Review Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-12-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Communication - physiology; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Connexins - metabolism; Development; Development. Senescence. Regeneration. Transplantation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gap junction; Gap Junctions - metabolism; Humans; Neocortex; Neocortex - cytology; Neocortex - growth & development; Neocortex - metabolism; Neural Pathways - cytology; Neural Pathways - growth & development; Neural Pathways - metabolism; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - metabolism; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Development; Development and regeneration; Neocortex; Gap junction; Cerebral cortex; Central nervous system; Cell junction; Review; Encephalon
• ISSN: 0165-0173; 1872-6321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2004.06.009

Several independent lines of evidence indicate that gap junctional coupling is widespread and functionally important in early cortical development. The extensive expression of many connexins, the clusters of coupled neuroblasts or neurons revealed by tracer injections or the functional coactivation of neurons shown by calcium imaging can be seen as pieces of the same puzzle. At the same time, there is a lack of electrophysiological experiments at early developmental stages that directly demonstrate coupling between pairs of cells. The function of this gap junctional coupling is still mysterious, though it may be involved in controlling neurogenesis, differentiation or the formation of columnar microcircuits.