| Product Detail | This gene is a member of the connexin gene family. The encoded protein is a component of gap junctions, which are composed of arrays of intercellular channels that provide a route for the diffusion of low molecular weight materials from cell to cell. The encoded protein is the major protein of gap junctions in the heart that are thought to have a crucial role in the synchronized contraction of the heart and in embryonic development. A related intronless pseudogene has been mapped to chromosome 5. Mutations in this gene have been associated with oculodentodigital dysplasia and heart malformations. [provided by RefSeq]. Function: Gap junction protein that acts as a regulator of bladder capacity. A gap junction consists of a cluster of closely packed pairs of transmembrane channels, the connexons, through which materials of low MW diffuse from one cell to a neighboring cell. May play a critical role in the physiology of hearing by participating in the recycling of potassium to the cochlear endolymph. Negative regulator of bladder functional capacity: acts by enhancing intercellular electrical and chemical transmission, thus sensitizing bladder muscles to cholinergic neural stimuli and causing them to contract. Subunit: A connexon is composed of a hexamer of connexins. Interacts (via C-terminus) with TJP1. Interacts (via C-terminus) with SRC (via SH3 domain). Interacts with UBQLN4. Interacts with SGSM3. Interacts with KIAA1432/CIP150. Interacts with CNST and CSNK1D. Subcellular Location: Cell membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein. Cell junction, gap junction. Tissue Specificity: Expressed in the heart and fetal cochlea. Post-translational modifications: Phosphorylated at Ser-368 by PRKCG; phosphorylation induces disassembly of gap junction plaques and inhibition of gap junction activity. Phosphorylation at Ser-325, Ser-328 and Ser-330 by CK1 modulates gap junction assembly. DISEASE: Defects in GJA1 are the cause of autosomal dominant oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) [MIM:164200]; also known as oculodentoosseous dysplasia. ODDD is a highly penetrant syndrome presenting with craniofacial (ocular, nasal, dental) and limb dysmorphisms, spastic paraplegia, and neurodegeneration. Craniofacial anomalies tipically include a thin nose with hypoplastic alae nasi, small anteverted nares, prominent columnella, and microcephaly. Brittle nails and hair abnormalities of hypotrichosis and slow growth are present. Ocular defects include microphthalmia, microcornea, cataracts, glaucoma, and optic atrophy. Syndactyly type 3 and conductive deafness can occur in some cases. Cardiac abnormalities are observed in rare instances. Similarity: Belongs to the connexin family. Alpha-type (group II) subfamily. SWISS: P17302 Gene ID: 2697 |
