Defining the electrical synapse.

Electrical synapses are dynamic, structurally complex signaling structures whose strength changes, challenging the view that electrical transmission is static and determined only by gap junction channels.

• Why it matters: The field lacks a deeper understanding of what regulates electrical synapse structure and plasticity, despite evidence that molecular organization extends beyond intercellular channels.
• What they did: The work synthesizes mounting evidence that electrical transmission relies on additional synaptic components, pointing to sophisticated molecular organization beyond gap junctions.
• The result: A broader definition of electrical synapses is needed, reflecting their dynamic nature and unanticipated complexity in molecular organization.

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