Changes in cellular distribution of connexins 32 and 26 during formation of gap junctions in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

Experimental Cell Research
T KojimaY Mochizuki

Abstract

In the adult rat hepatocyte, gap junction proteins consist of connexin 32 (Cx32) and connexin 26 (Cx26). Previously, we reported that both Cx32 and Cx26 were markedly induced and maintained in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. The reappearing gap junctions were accompanied by increases in both the proteins and the mRNAs, and they were well maintained together with extensive gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) for more than 4 weeks. In the present study, we examined the cellular location of the gap junction proteins and the structures in the hepatocytes cultured in our system, using confocal laser microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy of cells processed for Cx32 and Cx26 immunocytochemistry and freeze-fracture analysis. In immunoelectron microscopy, the size of Cx32-immunoreactive gap junction structures on the plasma membrane increased with time of culture, and some of them were larger than those in liver sections in vivo. Freeze-fracture analysis also showed that the size of gap junction plaques increased and that the larger gap junction plaques were composed of densely packed particles. These results suggest that in this culture system, not only the synthesis of Cx proteins but also the size of the g...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 20, 2006·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Shalini MitraParmender P Mehta
Jul 30, 2010·Toxicological Sciences : an Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology·Mi Sun MoonHarriet C Isom
Jun 18, 2002·Cell Communication & Adhesion·P E MartinW H Evans
Nov 26, 2010·European Journal of Cell Biology·Sachie YamajiMarta Varela-Rey
Oct 1, 2015·Toxicology in Vitro : an International Journal Published in Association with BIBRA·Michaël MaesMathieu Vinken
Dec 7, 2007·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Mathieu VinkenVera Rogiers
Mar 24, 2016·Cell Communication & Adhesion·Joost WillebrordsMathieu Vinken
Oct 28, 2003·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Stephanie A Stoehr, Harriet C Isom
Jul 1, 2006·Critical Reviews in Toxicology·Mathieu VinkenTamara Vanhaecke
Feb 24, 2006·The Biochemical Journal·Dale W Laird
Dec 3, 1999·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·T KojimaD C Spray
Jun 16, 2001·European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences : Official Journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences·E L LeCluyse

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