Intercellular communication through gap junctions (connexins) plays an important role in a variety of cellular processes including homeostasis, morphogenesis, cell differentiation and growth control. In rodents, 15 connexin genes have been described. Specific cell types in the brain express specific types of connexins; expression patterns coincide with tissue compartmentalization and function. These compartments change during development5. Reduction or alteration in the levels or types of connexin expressed in a given cell type has been found to correlate with tumor progression and metastasis. The coding sequence of the mouse gap junction Cx47 has 49% homology with mouse Cx45; both are located on chromosome 11 in the mouse genome. Cx47 has been observed to express mainly in the gray matter of the central nervous system, specifically in several types of hippocampal, cortical, cerebellar and spinal cord neurons. Functional gap junctions are involved in tissue homeostasis of ions, metabolites and second messenger molecules. Between neuronal cells, these functions play a role in synchronizing oscillations of certain cell clusters and could impact burst thresholds of electrotonically coupled cells. Cx47 induces strong electrical coupling that is sensitive to chemical uncouplers. Cx47 appears to be a less restrictive channel than Cx36 and may show preference to larger metabolites or second messengers rather than the intercellular diffusion of inorganic ions that Cx36 preferentially allows.