The effect of 2–4 dinitrophenol on cell to cellcommunication in the frog lens

Abstract

In the frog lens, the magnitude of the electrical impedance of the tissue at 796 Hz has been shown to be primarily a measure of cell to cell coupling. Using this measure, we demonstrate that the incorporation of 500 μ m 2–4 dinitrophenol (DNP) into the Ringer solution bathing the lens at pH 7·4 causes uncoupling of fiber cells within 300 mm of the lens surface. This uncoupling is not total and largely reverses if the DNP Ringer is replaced by normal Ringer within 2 hr. The mechanism of action of DNP is unclear but it does not depend on Ca 2+ influx from the bath. The results demonstrate that reversible uncoupling of lens fiber cells can occur, a point which has been uncertain the past.