Understanding the Signal Transduction Mechanism of Gap Junctions Using Computational Approach in Cardiac Cells

Abstract

Gap junctions are important intercellular communication mechanisms in heart tissue, and their
function is critical to maintaining normal cardiac electrical signals. Gap junctions allow direct
electrical connectivity between cardiac myocytes with every beating, allowing for the fast and
synchronized spread of cardiac excitement. Proper gap junction communication results in the
relatively close start of all cardiomyocyte action potentials as well as an ordered contraction. Many
types of cardiac illness cause changes in gap junction coupling. It is understood that the connexin
(Cx) component of gap junctions has both direct and indirect functions in the transmission of
electrical impulses from the cardiac pacemaker to functioning myocytes through the cardiac
conduction system (CCS). In this work, the single cardiac cell of human Purkinjie Fibre and
Ventricular Cells are modelled. The modelled cells are coupled via gap junction channels. The
computational research intends to investigate the electrotonic function of gap junction conduits in
the transmission of electrical impulses between heart cells. It is also studied the effect of the gap
junction role between pairs of cells and extrapolate these findings at the tissue level.