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- Title
Two Distinct Heterotypic Channels Mediate Gap Junction Coupling between Astrocyte and Oligodendrocyte Connexins.
- Authors
Orthmann-Murphy, Jennifer L.; Freidin, Mona; Fischer, Esther; Scherer, Steven S.; Abrams, Charles K.
- Abstract
Genetic diseases demonstrate that the normal function of CNS myelin depends on connexin32 (Cx32) and Cx47, gap junction (GJ) proteins expressed by oligodendrocytes. GJs couple oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (O/A channels) as well as astrocytes themselves (A/A channels). Because astrocytes express different connexins (Cx30 and Cx43), O/A channels must be heterotypic, whereas A/A channels may be homotypic or heterotypic. Using electrophysiological and immunocytochemical approaches, we found that Cx47/Cx43 and Cx32/Cx30 efficiently formed functional channels, but other potential heterotypic O/A and A/A pairs did not. These results suggest that Cx30/Cx30 and Cx43/Cx43 channels mediate A/A coupling, and Cx47/Cx43 and Cx32/Cx30 channels mediate O/A coupling. Furthermore, Cx47/Cx43 and Cx32/Cx30 channels have distinct macroscopic and single-channel properties and different dye permeabilities. Finally, Cx47 mutants that cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease do not efficiently form functional channels with Cx43, indicating that disrupted Cx47/Cx43 channels cause this disease.
- Subjects
GAP junctions (Cell biology); ASTROCYTES; CONNEXINS; GENETIC disorders; MYELIN proteins
- Publication
Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, Vol 27, Issue 51, p13949
- ISSN
0270-6474
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3395-07.2007