Connexin36 forms synapses essential for night vision

Neuron. 2002 Nov 14;36(4):551-3. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)01062-0.

Abstract

Rod signals reach ganglion cells via at least five pathways. A new study in this issue of Neuron shows that all pathways from rods to ON-type ganglion cells require connexin36. This is the first physiological demonstration in mammals that a well-defined neural circuit requires a gap junction as an obligatory transmission step.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • Dark Adaptation / physiology*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gap Junction delta-2 Protein
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism*
  • Gap Junctions / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Neural Pathways / cytology
  • Neural Pathways / metabolism*
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology*

Substances

  • Connexins
  • Eye Proteins