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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
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Transfer of mitochondria and endosomes between cells by gap junction internalization
1Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
|April 2, 2021
Summary
Connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions facilitate intercellular organelle transfer. This study reveals Cx43 mediates organelle uptake into connexosomes for cell-cell communication and repair.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Intercellular organelle transfer is crucial for cell communication and repair.
- Mechanisms of organelle transfer remain unclear.
- Connexin 43 (Cx43) is implicated in mitochondrial transfer, but its role is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of Cx43 in intercellular organelle transfer.
- To identify the specific mechanisms by which organelles are transferred between cells.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional electron microscopy was employed.
- Immunogold labeling was used to detect Cx43.
- Connexin-mediated structures were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Whole organelles, including mitochondria and endosomes, were observed within double-membrane vesicles.
- These vesicles, termed connexosomes or annular gap junctions, form via gap junction internalization.
- Cx43 was found to be essential for this process.
Conclusions:
- A novel mechanism for intercellular organelle transfer mediated by Cx43 gap junctions has been demonstrated.
- Connexosomes facilitate the transfer of organelles between cells.
- This finding provides new insights into cell-cell communication and repair.
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