Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables gap junction channel activity. Involved in cell-cell signaling and gap junction-mediated intercellular transport. Acts upstream of or within gap junction assembly. Located in gap junction and plasma membrane. Part of connexin complex. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; ear; genitourinary system; meninges; and skin. Used to study autosomal dominant keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome and autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness 1A. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Bart-Pumphrey syndrome; Vohwinkel syndrome; autosomal dominant keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome; nonsyndromic deafness (multiple); and palmoplantar keratoderma-deafness syndrome. Orthologous to human GJB2 (gap junction protein beta 2).