Related Experiment Videos
Gap junctions mediate intercellular calcium signalling in cultured articular chondrocytes
1Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Chimica delle Macromolecole, Trieste, Italy. dandrea@univ.trieste.it
Cell Calcium
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Gap junctions coordinate cell communication in cartilage. They enable signal transduction, like calcium waves, essential for chondrocyte metabolic activity.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication by allowing passage of small molecules and ions.
- This communication is crucial for coordinating cellular functions, including signal transduction via second messengers.
- Chondrocytes, cartilage cells, exhibit rhythmic cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentration changes in response to extracellular ATP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gap junctions in signal transduction among chondrocytes.
- To determine if gap junctions mediate the propagation of calcium (Ca2+) waves in articular cartilage cells.
- To assess the functional expression and impact of gap junctions on chondrocyte communication.
Main Methods:
- Primary chondrocyte cultures were used.
- Digital imaging fluorescence microscopy with Fura-2 was employed to monitor cytosolic Ca2+ dynamics.
- Intercellular transfer of Lucifer yellow dye and the effect of the gap junction inhibitor 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid were assessed.
Main Results:
- Extracellular ATP induced rhythmic Ca2+ oscillations in chondrocytes.
- These Ca2+ spikes propagated between cells, forming intercellular Ca2+ waves.
- Inhibition of gap junctions blocked Ca2+ wave propagation and synchrony of Ca2+ oscillations.
Conclusions:
- Gap junctions are functionally expressed in chondrocytes.
- Gap junctions mediate intercellular signal transduction in cartilage cells.
- This communication mechanism likely coordinates chondrocyte metabolic activity.