We immunohistochemically and morphometrically examined the expression of gap junction protein connexin (Cx) in normal and crush-injured rat sciatic nerves using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cx26 was localized in the perineurium and Cx43 was present in the perineurium and the epineurium, whereas Cx32 was confined to the paranodal regions of the nodes of Ranvier. Double labeling for connex...

Electrical coupling between excitatory neurons in the neocortex is developmentally regulated. It is initially prominent but eliminated at later developmental stages when chemical synapses emerge. However, it remains largely unclear whether early electrical coupling networks broadly contribute to neocortical circuit formation and animal behavior. Here, we report that neonatal electrical coupling...

cells of primordial, primary, secondary and antral follicles. Connexin 26 expression in antral follicles was decreased by R diet. The expression of Cx43 in granulosa cells of primary and granulosa and theca layers of antral follicles was increased by HSe in M diet. Thus, maternal diet affected Cx26 and Cx43 expression, and connexins may be differentially involved in regulation of fetal ovarian ...

Cx (connexin) proteins are components of gap junctions which are aqueous pores that allow intercellular exchange of ions and small molecules. Mutations in Cx genes are linked to a range of human disorders. In the present review we discuss mutations in β-Cx genes encoding Cx26, Cx30, Cx30.3 and Cx31 which lead to skin disease and deafness. Functional studies with Cx proteins have given insights ...

CO2 directly opens hemichannels of connexin26 (Cx26) by carbamylating K125, thereby allowing salt bridge formation with R104 of the neighbouring subunit in the connexin hexamer. The formation of the inter-subunit carbamate bridges within the hexameric hemichannel traps it in the open state. Here, we use insights derived from this model to test whether the range of agonists capable of opening Cx...

Mutations in the gene of connexin 26 (Cx26) are the most common cause of human non‑syndromic hereditary deafness. The pathogenesis of deafness caused by Cx26 remains uncertain. To explore the basic mechanism underlying Cx26 null mutations, ultrastructural changes and a number of marker proteins in the cochlear sensory epithelium of Cx26 conditional knockout mice were observed in the current stu...

Backgrounds: Immunohistochemical studies have revealed that connexin 26 (Cx26) exists not only in the cochlea but also in the vestibular organs. K+ cycling involving gap junction protein Cx26 in the vestibular labyrinth, which is similar to that in the cochlea, is thought to play a fundamental role in endolymph homeostasis and sensory transduction. Methods: We analyzed the morphological and fun...

Connexin-mediated gap junctions and open hemichannels in nonjunctional membranes represent two biologically relevant mechanisms by which neural progenitors can coordinate their response to changes in the extracellular environment. NT2/D1 cells are a teratocarcinoma progenitor line that can be induced to differentiate terminally into functional hNT neurons and NT-G nonneuronal cells. Clinical tr...

The recently published crystal structure of the Cx26 gap junction channel provides a unique opportunity for elucidation of the structure of the conductive connexin pore and the molecular determinants of its ion permeation properties (conductance, current-voltage [I-V] relations, and charge selectivity). However, the crystal structure was incomplete, most notably lacking the coordinates of the N...

Differential expression of members of the connexin (Cx) gap junction multigene family permits formation of gap junctions with the varied physiological properties required by different tissues. The aim of this study was to characterize connexin expression and the influence of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in mouse gingival epithelial cells (GE1). The cells were treated with RA, and expression of ...