{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n GJD2, which encodes the gap junction protein connexin36, is a key mediator of direct intercellular communication in excitable tissues. In the pancreatic islets, connexin36 is critical for the electrical coupling of β‐cells, where it synchronizes intracellular calcium oscillations and coordinates pulsatile insulin secretion. Loss or reduction of connexin36 disrupts this coupling, leading to altered insulin release kinetics, increased basal secretion, and impaired glucose tolerance."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_fs", "start_ref": "1", "end_ref": "4"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " In the retina and other brain regions, connexin36 forms gap junctions between diverse neuronal subtypes – including amacrine, ganglion, and other interneurons – thereby facilitating rapid electrical synaptic transmission, synchronizing neuronal oscillations, and contributing to key aspects of visual processing such as direction selectivity. Moreover, genome‐wide association studies have linked common variants near GJD2 with refractive errors and myopia, underscoring its role in retinal function."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_fs", "start_ref": "5", "end_ref": "8"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " In addition, within the central nervous system connexin36-containing gap junctions are essential for generating synchronous network oscillations that underlie information processing and cognitive functions such as learning and memory, with interactions involving scaffolding proteins further modulating channel assembly and activity."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_fs", "start_ref": "9", "end_ref": "12"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Collectively, these studies reveal that connexin36 (GJD2) plays an indispensable, tissue‐specific role in coordinating the electrical and metabolic activities of both neuronal and endocrine networks, with its proper function being critical for normal visual processing, cognitive dynamics, and glucose homeostasis.\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Magalie A Ravier, Martin Güldenagel, Anne Charollais, et al. 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