We have examined the expression of a gap junction protein, connexin32 (Cx32), in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes. In peripheral nerve, Cx32 is found in the paranodal myelin loops and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures of myelinating Schwann cells, and the levels of Cx32 protein and mRNA change in parallel with those of other myelin-related genes during development, Wallerian degeneration, and axona...

Mutations in GJB1, the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32), cause X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX). We compared the localization of CMTX mutants that affect different domains of Cx32, by expressing them in HeLa cells. Mutants were localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (M34K, N205I, and Y211x), in the Golgi apparatus without reaching the cell membrane (M34T, V38M...

Extensive studies have unveiled the intracellular molecular signaling pathways of cell death. To better understand cell death in tissues, it is important to investigate the influence of neighboring cells on the response to death stimuli. By time-lapse microscopy, we found that cells in couplets (two hepatocytes attached to each other) died independently when stimulated with anti-Fas antibody an...

Although loss of connexin expression and/or gap junction intercellular communication correlates with decreased growth control and increased neoplastic potential, there is limited evidence directly linking gap junction intercellular communication function with tumor suppression in situ. Here, we show for the first time that a gap junction protein, connexin32 (Cx32), acts as a lung tumor suppress...

The Schwann cell myelin sheath is a multilamellar structure with distinct structural domains in which different proteins are localized. Intracellular dye injection and video microscopy were used to show that functional gap junctions are present within the myelin sheath that allow small molecules to diffuse between the adaxonal and perinuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm. Gap junctions are localized ...

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...

Increasing connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctional conductance as a means to improve cardiac conduction has been proposed as a novel antiarrhythmic modality. Yet, transmission of molecules via gap junctions may be associated with increased infarct size. To determine whether maintaining open gap junction channels impacts on infarct size and induction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) following coronary o...