Cell-Cell Channels

This book covers cell-cell channels at all levels of biological organization. The purpose of this book is to document that cells are not physically separated and fully autonomous units of biological life as stated by the currently valid Cell Theory. If not the cell then some lower level unit must fulfill this role. The book deals also with the identity of this elusive unit of biological life. TOC:Cell-Cell Channels and Their Implications for Cell Theory.- Mating Cell-Cell Channels in Conjugating Bacteria.- The Tetrahymena Conjugation Junction.- Cytoplasmic Bridges in Volvox and Its Relatives.- Vegetative Hyphal Fusion in Filamentous Fungi.-Plasmodesmata: Cell-Cell Channels in Plants.- Sieve-Pore Plugging Mechanisms.- Actin and Myosin VIII in Plant Cell-Cell Channels.- Cell-Cell Communication in Wood.- TMV Movement Protein Targets Cell-Cell Channels.- Viral Movement Proteins Induce Tubule Formation in Plant and Insect Cells.- Cell-Cell Movements of Transcription Factors in Plants.- Gap Junctions: Cell-Cell Channels in Animals.- Tunneling Nanotubes: Membranous Channels.- Cytoplasmic Bridges as Cell-Cell Channels of Germ Cells.- Fusome as a Cell-Cell Communication Channel.- Cytonemes as Cell-Cell Channels in Human Blood Cells.- Paracellular Pores in Endothelial Barriers.- Channels across Endothelial Cells.- Molecular Transfers through Transient Lymphoid.- Cell-Cell Transport of Homeoproteins: With or Without Channels?- Virological Synapse for Cell-Cell Spread of Viruses.- Cell-Cell Fusion: Transient Channels Leading to Plasma Membrane Merger.