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Related Experiment Videos

Gap junction dynamics: reversible effects of divalent cations

C Peracchia, L L Peracchia

    The Journal of Cell Biology
    |December 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Divalent cations like calcium and magnesium induce reversible structural changes in gap junctions, impacting their function. These findings suggest a mechanism for regulating cell-to-cell communication through ion interactions.

    Area of Science:

    • Cell Biology
    • Biophysics
    • Structural Biology

    Background:

    • Gap junctions mediate direct cell-to-cell communication.
    • Previous studies linked structural changes to electrical uncoupling.
    • The role of specific ions in gap junction structure was not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of divalent cations (Ca++ and Mg++) on isolated gap junction structure.
    • To determine the ion concentrations that trigger structural alterations.
    • To explore the reversibility of these structural changes and their potential mechanism.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation of gap junctions from calf lens fibers and rat stomach epithelia.
    • Treatment with varying concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ ions.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Use of EGTA to reverse ion-induced changes.
  • Incubation with a Ca++ ionophore (A23187) in epithelial junctions.
  • Deep etching electron microscopy of isolated lens junctions.

    • Main Results:

    • Ca++ and Mg++ induced reversible structural changes in gap junctions, shifting from disordered to crystalline particle packing.
    • These changes occurred at specific cation concentrations ([Ca++] ≥ 5 x 10(-7) M; [Mg++] ≥ 1 x 10(-3) M).
    • Deep etching revealed a bare cytoplasmic surface, suggesting limited cytoskeletal involvement.

    Conclusions:

    • Divalent cations play a crucial role in regulating gap junction structure and potentially function.
    • A proposed mechanism involves cation-mediated charge neutralization leading to particle aggregation and channel narrowing.
    • The findings offer insights into the dynamic nature of gap junctions and their modulation by the cellular environment.