Schematic representation of the signals participating in the proposed steps that lead to gap junction internalization, formation of annular gap junctions in the cytoplasm of the acceptor cell, and annular gap junction degradation through the phago-/lysosomal or the endo-/lysosomal pathway based on studies published in the literature. (Abbreviations are: AGJ, annular gap junction; CLASPs, clathrin-coat-associated proteins; ESCRT, endosomal sorting complexes required for transport; GJ, gap junction; UBA, ubiquitin-associated domain; UIMs, ubiquitin-interacting motifs.)