Gap Junctions in Turing-Type Periodic Feather Pattern Formation

This study investigates the role of gap junctions (GJs) in Turing-type periodic feather pattern formation using chicken skin as a model. The researchers found that 7 out of 12 GJ isoforms are dynamically expressed during feather development. Disruption of the GJ isoform connexin 30 led to altered feather bud formation, suggesting that GJ-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a role in pattern propagation. Inhibition of GJIC allowed new feather buds to form in specific spatial patterns, indicating that GJs may facilitate long-distance inhibitory signaling. The study proposes that modulating GJ activity can influence Turing-type pattern formation, supported by computational simulations predicting ectopic bud emergence.