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Cardiac gap junction channels show quantitative differences in selectivity.

Virginijus Valiunas1, Eric C Beyer, Peter R Brink

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.

Circulation Research
|July 27, 2002
PubMed
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Cardiac connexins connexin40 (Cx40) and connexin43 (Cx43) exhibit distinct permeability properties for intercellular passage of small molecules. Cx43 gap junctions are significantly more permeable to Lucifer Yellow than Cx40 gap junctions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cellular Physiology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Connexins connexin40 (Cx40) and connexin43 (Cx43) form cardiac gap junctions, crucial for electrical conduction.
  • These connexins exhibit differing channel properties, influencing cell-to-cell communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitate the permeability differences of Cx40 and Cx43 gap junctions for small molecules.
  • To assess the role of connexin coexpression in determining intercellular permeability.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized double whole-cell patch-clamp to measure junctional conductance (g(j)).
  • Employed fluorescence microscopy to track intercellular transfer of Lucifer Yellow (LY).
  • Performed studies in HeLa cells transfected with Cx40, Cx43, or both.

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Main Results:

  • Homotypic Cx43 channels showed ~5x greater LY permeability than Cx40 channels.
  • Heterotypic and coexpressed channels exhibited intermediate LY permeability.
  • Permeability ratios (LY/K+) ranged from 0.0025 (Cx40) to 0.028 (Cx43), indicating high selectivity.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac connexins display selective permeability for second messengers.
  • Coexpression of Cx40 and Cx43 results in intermediate permeability, not unique characteristics.
  • Connexin selectivity impacts metabolic and biochemical coupling within the heart.