Abstract
The intercalated disk (ID) is the specialized subcellular region that provides electrical and mechanical connections between myocytes in the heart. The ultrastructure of the ID is composed of mechanical junctions (MJ), gap junctions (GJ) and non-junctional membranes. The junctions and the two apposing cell ID membranes describe a complex, restricted extracellular space between the cells called the intercellular cleft. Recent studies have shown that ID heterogeneity extends to key electrogenic proteins, such as the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV1.5), inward-rectifying potassium channel (Kir2.1) and sodium-potassium ATPase (NKA): they are preferentially localized at the IDs, and moreover tend to cluster around MJs and GJs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
