Abstract

Gap junctions play a critical role in the coordinated function and activity of nearly all of the skeletal cells. This is not surprising, given the elaborate orchestration of skeletal patterning, bone modeling and subsequent remodeling, as well as the mechanical stresses, strains and adaptive responses that the skeleton must accommodate. Much remains to be learned regarding the role of gap junctions and hemichannels in these processes. A common theme is that without connexins none of the cells of bone function properly. Thus, connexins play an important role in skeletal form and function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-81
Number of pages13
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes
Volume1719
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 2005

Keywords

  • Bone
  • Cartilage
  • Chondrocyte
  • Connexin
  • Osteoblast

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