During the evolution of single-celled organisms to multicellular metazoans, a family of highly
conserved genes coding for proteins (connexins), which as hexameric units (connexons),
has evolved to form intercellular channels (gap junctions). These gap junctions allow ions
and small molecular weight molecules to flow between coupled cells, thereby facilitating
synchronization of electrotonic or metabolic cooperation. Control of cell proliferation, cell
differentiation and adaptive responses of differentiated cells have been speculated to be …

Endogenous and exogenous modulation of gap junctional intercellular communication :
toxicological and pharmacological implications | CiNii Research … Endogenous and
exogenous modulation of gap junctional intercellular communication : toxicological and
pharmacological implications …