RGD Reference Report - Effects of connexin-mimetic peptides on gap junction functionality and connexin expression in cultured vascular cells. - Rat Genome Database

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Effects of connexin-mimetic peptides on gap junction functionality and connexin expression in cultured vascular cells.

Authors: Martin, PE  Wall, C  Griffith, TM 
Citation: Martin PE, etal., Br J Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;144(5):617-27.
RGD ID: 7207816
Pubmed: PMID:15678088   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC1576046   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706102   (Journal Full-text)

1. We have investigated the effects of connexin-mimetic peptides homologous to the Gap 26 and Gap 27 domains of Cxs 37, 40 and 43 against gap junctional communication and connexin expression in rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) and A7r5 myocytes. 2. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of gap junction plaques containing Cx43, but not Cx40, in RAECs, whereas plaques containing Cxs 40 and 43 were evident in A7r5 cells. Expression of Cx37 was limited in RAECs and absent from A7r5 cells. 3. Under control conditions calcein-loaded RAECs transferred dye to approximately 70% of subjacent A7r5 cells after coculture for 4-5 h. Dye transfer was inhibited by a peptide targeted to Cxs 37 and 43 ((37,43)Gap 27), but minimally affected by peptides targeted to Cxs 37 and 40 ((37,40)Gap 26 and (40)Gap 27). These findings suggest that the myoendothelial gap junctions that couple RAECs and A7r5 cells are constructed principally from Cx43. 4. Inhibition of dye transfer from RAECs to A7r5 cells cocultured in the presence of (37,43)Gap 27 plus (37,40)Gap 26 for 5 h was fully reversible. 5. In A7r5 cells, endogenous expression of Cx40 and Cx43 was unaffected by incubation with (37,43)Gap 27, (37,40)Gap 26, either individually or in combination, and the peptide combination did not impair connexin trafficking or the de novo formation of gap plaques in A7r5 cells transfected to express Cx43-GFP. 6. Treatment of A7r5 cells with (37,43)Gap 27 plus (37,40)Gap 26 abolished synchronized oscillations in intracellular [Ca2+] induced by the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine. 7. The reversibility and lack of effect of the peptides on plaque formation suggests that they may be considered ideal probes for functional studies of connexin-mediated communication in the vascular wall.



Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process

  
Object SymbolSpeciesTermQualifierEvidenceWithNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
Gja1Ratpositive regulation of cell communication by chemical coupling  IMP  RGD 
Gja5Ratpositive regulation of cell communication by chemical coupling  IMP  RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Gja1  (gap junction protein, alpha 1)
Gja5  (gap junction protein, alpha 5)


Additional Information