Heteromeric connexons in lens gap junction channels

Jean X. Jiang, Daniel A. Goodenough

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

235 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gap junction channels are formed by paired oligomeric membrane hemichannels called connexons, which are composed of proteins of the connexin family. Experiments with transfected cell lines and paired Xenopus oocytes have demonstrated that heterotypic intercellular channels which are formed by two connexons, each composed of a different connexin, can selectively occur. Studies by Stauffer [Stauffer, K. A. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 6768-6772] have shown that recombinant Cx26 and Cx32 coinfected into insect cells may form heteromeric connexons. By solubilizing and subfractionating individual connexons from ovine lenses, we show by immunoprecipitation that connexons can contain two different connexins forming heteromeric assemblies in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1287-1291
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume93
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 6 1996
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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