Gjb2
Developmental stage
Detected in cochlea after 14.5 dpc. Detected in the spiral limbus in neoneates at 2, 8 and 12 days after birth, before the onset of hearing.
Function
Structural component of gap junctions (PubMed:15692151). Gap junctions are dodecameric channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjoining cells. They are formed by the docking of two hexameric hemichannels, one from each cell membrane (By similarity). Small molecules and ions diffuse from one cell to a neighboring cell via the central pore (PubMed:15692151).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the connexin family. Beta-type (group I) subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Detected in cochlea (at protein level) (PubMed:15692151). Detected in cochlea (PubMed:15692151). Liver, kidney, intestine, lung, spleen, stomach, testis and brain, but not heart and adult skeletal muscle.
Cellular localization
- Cell membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Cell junction
- Gap junction
- Colocalizes with GJB4 at gap junction plaques in the cochlea.
Alternative names
Cxn-26, Gjb2, Gap junction beta-2 protein, Connexin-26, Cx26