Regulation of lens connexin 45.6 by apoptotic protease, caspase-3

Xinye Yin, Sumin Gu, Jean X. Jiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gap junctions are important in maintaining lens homeostasis. Here we report that connexin 45.6 (Cx45.6) was partially truncated to a 46 kDa fragment during chicken lens development. This specific truncation initiated during embryonic days and the truncated fragment accumulated towards the later developmental stages. When membranes of the embryonic lens were subjected to caspase-3 treatment, the 46 kDa fragment of Cx45.6 was reproduced, suggesting apoptotic protease caspase-3 is a potential protease involved. The COOH-terminus of Cx45.6 in GST-fusion protein was also cleaved by caspase-3, confirming that Cx45.6 is a direct substrate of caspase-3. Induction of apoptosis in lens primary cultures regenerated the 46 kDa fragment and this cleavage was blocked by a caspase-3 inhibitor. Alteration of amino acid residue Asp364 or Glu367 to Ala prevented Cx45.6 from cleavage by caspase-3, suggesting that the cleavage site of Cx45.6 is likely to be between Glu367 and Gly368. Phosphorylation of Ser363, a known substrate for casein kinase II (CKII) in vivo, inhibited the cleavage of Cx45.6 by caspase-3. Thus, this study demonstrates that a lens connexin can be a direct target of caspase-3 and the cleavage by caspase-3 leads to the development-associated truncation of Cx45.6. Finally, caspase-3 mediated truncation can be modulated by the specific connexin phosphorylation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)373-376
Number of pages4
JournalCell Communication and Adhesion
Volume8
Issue number4-6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Casein kinase II
  • Caspase-3
  • Connexin 45.6
  • Gap junction
  • Lens
  • Phosphorylation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Regulation of lens connexin 45.6 by apoptotic protease, caspase-3'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this