Regulation of cell-cell communication mediated by connexin 43 in rabbit myometrial cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rapid regulation of cell-cell communication by using the microinjection of purified cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A), the Ca(2+)-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C), or the inhibitor proteins (PKI and CKI) that are, respectively, specific for each of these enzymes. Gap junction phenotypes of myometrial tissue and cells were studied by means of immunocytochemistry with antibody to connexin 43 (alpha 1; Cx43). Cells were enzymatically disaggregated from myometrium of nonpregnant, mid-pregnant (Day 14), and late-pregnant (Day 29) rabbit uteri (n = 8 per group) and seeded at high density such that after 4 days, cultures had the appearance of a cross-sectioned myometrium. Purified proteins and their subunits were microinjected, and intercellular communication was evaluated by monitoring Lucifer Yellow dye transfer. Cultures were treated with 0.5 mM 8Br-cAMP (8-bromo adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate) or 10 microM OAG (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol), which, respectively, activate protein kinase A and protein kinase C. Immunoreactive Cx43 and cell-cell communication were examined 5 min to 2 h later. Cx43 was detected in myometrial cryosections and cultured cells by indirect immunofluorescence, and its expression increased with gestation. Exposure to 8Br-cAMP increased the amount of immunoreactive Cx43. Basal dye transfer was minimal in nonpregnant cells, increased in cells of mid-pregnant uteri, and was maximal in late-pregnant cells. Treatment with 8Br-cAMP enhanced transfer in mid- and late-pregnant cells but had no obvious effect on cells from nonpregnant animals. OAG treatment inhibited dye transfer in greater than 95% of the cells tested irrespective of pregnancy status. PKI inhibited cell-cell communication within 2 min and up to 40 min. Injection of free catalytic subunit of protein kinase A following PKI inhibition restored communication within 2-3 min, with maximal transfer in 4-5 min. Protein kinase C inhibited communication, which resumed in < 3 min after injection of CKI. We conclude that rabbit myometrial cells engage in Cx43-mediated cell-cell communication and that this process increases during pregnancy. Further, activators of protein kinase A or injected free catalytic subunit rapidly enhances cell-cell communication, whereas activators of protein kinase C or the enzyme itself diminishes this process.