Linked Life Data

8631157

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/8631157

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1996-7-2
pubmed:abstractText
The connexin gene family, of which there are at least 12 members in rodents, encodes the protein subunits intercellular membrane channels (gap junction channels). Because of the diverse structural and biophysical properties exhibited by the different connexins, it has been proposed that each may play a unique role in development or homeostasis. We have begun to test this hypothesis in the preimplantation mouse embryo in which de novo gap junction assembly is a developmentally regulated event. As a first step, we have used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine the connexin mRNA phenotype of mouse blastocysts, and have identified transcripts of connexins 30.3, 31, 31.1, 40, 43, and 45. Quantitative measurements indicated that all six of these connexin genes are transcribed after fertilization. They can be divided into two groups with respect to the timing of mRNA accumulation: Cx31, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNAs accumulate continuously from the two- or four-cell stage, whereas Cx30.3, Cx31.1, and Cx40 mRNAs accumulate beginning in the eight-cell stage. All six mRNAs were found to co-sediment with polyribosomes from their time of first appearance, indicating that all six are translated. The expression of Cx31.1 and Cx40 was examined by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy; whereas both could be detected in compacting embryos, only Cx31.1 could be seen in punctate membrane foci indicative of gap junctions. Taken together with other results (published or submitted), our findings indicate that at least four connexins (Cx31, 31.1, 43 and 45) contribute to gap junctions in preimplantation development. The expression of multiple connexin genes during this early period of embryogenesis (when there are only two distinct cell types) raises questions about the functional significance of connexin diversity in this context.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0192-253X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
18
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
234-43
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Multiple members of the connexin gene family participate in preimplantation development of the mouse.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't