Background of the antigen
Connexin 29 belongs to the connexin family and is a member of the epsilon-type subfamily. Connexin 29 is a membrane bound, multi-pass protein also known as gap junction epsilon-1 protein. A connexon, consisting of connexin hexamers, is a membrane bound structure that is integral in the formation of a gap junction. One gap junction consists of a cluster of closely packed pairs of transmembrane channels, the connexons, through which materials of low molecular weight diffuse from one cell to a neighboring cell. Connexin 29 expression is restricted to the central nervous system and is present in brain, spinal cord, and sciatic nerve samples. It has been suggested that connexin 29 in the mature CNS contributes minimally to gap junctional intercellular communication in oligodendrocyte cell bodies. Rather, connexin 29 is targeted to myelin where it, along with connexin 32, may contribute to connexin-mediated communication between adjacent layers of uncompacted myelin.
