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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Sep 12.
Published in final edited form as: Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Aug 16;1818(8):2030–2047. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.08.015

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Connexin nomenclature A. Connexins are integral membrane proteins with four transmembrane domains and intracellular N and C termini. B. Each connexon or hemichannel is composed of six subunits called connexins. C. Cell-cell channels are formed by docking of two apposed connexons from apposed cells. D. If all six subunits are identical the connexon is termed homomeric. In cells expressing more than one type of connexin, different connexins may aggregate to form heteromeric connexons. E. Many members of the connexin family can form functional GJs by associating with a like connexon (a homotypic junction) or a different one (a heterotypic junction).