gap junction
[/ɡæp ˈdʒʌŋkʃən/]
nounpl: gap junctions
junção comunicante
1. A type of cell-to-cell communication channel that allows direct passage of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells, formed by connexin proteins
Gap junctions enable electrical and metabolic coupling between cardiac muscle cells, allowing them to contract in synchrony.
As junções comunicantes permitem acoplamento elétrico e metabólico entre as células musculares cardíacas, possibilitando que se contraiam sincronizadamente.
2. In cellular biology, a specialized intercellular connection composed of connexon hemichannels that create a channel permitting passage of molecules up to 1000 Da
The blockade of gap junctions can interrupt cell-to-cell signaling and lead to arrhythmias.
O bloqueio das junções comunicantes pode interromper a sinalização entre células e levar a arritmias.
Gap junctions are a fundamental concept in modern cell biology and medicine, studied extensively in both Brazilian and American research institutions. The term is used uniformly in scientific literature across both Portuguese-speaking and English-speaking countries. In Brazil, this is primarily encountered in medical schools, biology departments, and cardiovascular research centers, particularly given the importance of understanding cardiac electrophysiology.
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →