Abstract
Human vascular connexins (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45) can form various types of gap junction channels to synchronize vasodilation/constriction to control local circulation. Most of our knowledge on heterotypic gap junctions of these vascular connexins was from studies on rodent connexins. In human vasculature, the same four homolog connexins exist, but whether these human connexins can form heterotypic GJs as those of rodents have not been fully studied. Here we used in vitro expression system to study the coupling status and GJ channel properties of human heterotypic Cx37/Cx40, Cx37/Cx43, and Cx37/Cx45 GJs. Our results showed that Cx37/Cx43 and Cx37/Cx45 GJs, but not Cx37/Cx40 GJs, were functional and each with unique rectifying channel properties. The failure of docking between Cx37 and Cx40 could be rescued by designed Cx40 variants. Characterization of the heterotypic Cx37/Cx43 and Cx37/Cx45 GJs may help us in understanding the intercellular communication at the myoendothelial junction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.