Biochemical and genetic investigations on gap junctions from mammalian cells

Gap junction protein (26K) in mouse or rat liver has been studied using a rabbit antiserum directed against the sodium dodecylsulfate denatured 26K protein from mouse liver. The liver 26K protein has been localized in gap junction plaques of hepatic plasma membranes by immuno electron microscopy. Affinity purified anti-26K antiserum showed weak cross reactivity with mouse or bovine lens gap junction protein (MIP26). This result suggests some structural homology between the different gap junction proteins in liver and lens. After partial hepatectomy of young rats the liver 26K protein appears to be degraded and later resynthesized. A variant of established Chinese hamster fibroblastoid cells has been isolated and shown to be defective in metabolic cooperation via gap junctions.