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Related Experiment Videos

Molecular basis for pacemaker cells in epithelia.

M Fatima Leite1, Keiji Hirata, Thomas Pusl

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|February 19, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Epithelial cells coordinate calcium (Ca2+) signals through gap junctions and hormone receptors, enabling synchronized, organ-level communication. This organized signaling allows epithelia to function as integrated units rather than isolated cells.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intercellular signaling is crucial in excitable tissues like the heart.
  • The organization of intercellular signaling in epithelial tissues remains less understood.
  • Calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays a key role in cellular communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the organization of intercellular Ca2+ signaling in epithelial cells.
  • To determine the roles of gap junctions and vasopressin receptors in epithelial Ca2+ signaling.
  • To identify factors governing synchronized Ca2+ signal propagation in epithelia.

Main Methods:

  • Hepatoma cells were engineered to express connexin32 (cx32) or connexin43 (cx43) gap junctions.
  • Fluorescently tagged V(1a) vasopressin receptors (V(1a)R) were expressed in cells.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Calcium imaging and photorelease of caged Ca2+ or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) were utilized.

    • Main Results:

    • Gap junctions enabled Ca2+ signal spread between neighboring cells.
    • Vasopressin stimulation increased Ca2+ sensitivity and promoted gap junction-mediated signaling.
    • Cells expressing higher levels of V(1a)R acted as pacemakers, initiating synchronized Ca2+ signals.

    Conclusions:

    • Intercellular Ca2+ signals in epithelia are organized by InsP3 generation, gap junction coupling, and pacemaker cells expressing hormone receptors.
    • These factors enable synchronized Ca2+ signaling, allowing epithelia to function as integrated units.
    • The findings provide insights into coordinated epithelial function at an organ level.