Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Nav1.5

Title: Gap junctions - guards of excitability.

Authors: Line Waring Stroemlund, Christa Funch Jensen, Klaus Qvortrup, Mario Delmar, Morten Schak Nielsen

Journal, date & volume: Biochem. Soc. Trans., 2015 Jun , 43, 508-12

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26009199

Abstract
Cardiomyocytes are connected by mechanical and electrical junctions located at the intercalated discs (IDs). Although these structures have long been known, it is becoming increasingly clear that their components interact. This review describes the involvement of the ID in electrical disturbances of the heart and focuses on the role of the gap junctional protein connexin 43 (Cx43). Current evidence shows that Cx43 plays a crucial role in organizing microtubules at the intercalated disc and thereby regulating the trafficking of the cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5 to the membrane.