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The Characterization Of Cx31 In Keratinocytes And Its Link To Erythrokeratodermia Variabilis Et Progressiva, Akina Au
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The connexin 31 (Cx31) mutants L135V and L209F are linked to the skin disease erythrokeratodermia variabilis et progressiva. We investigated the life-cycle of Cx31 and its interplay with co-expressed Cx26, Cx30 and Cx43 in rat epidermal keratinocytes. We demonstrated that the apparent half-life of Cx31 was extended compared to Cx43, and that Cx31 gap junctions persisted longer at the cell surface. In REKs, Cx31 gap junctions were dynamic and the ablation of Cx43 did not prevent Cx31 gap junction formation. Furthermore, Cx31 and Cx30 localized to the same gap junctions and exhibited the highest correlation coefficient. Lastly, we demonstrated that …
Heterotypic Docking Compatibility Of Human Connexin 37 With Other Vascular Connexins, Nicholas Kim
Heterotypic Docking Compatibility Of Human Connexin 37 With Other Vascular Connexins, Nicholas Kim
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Gap junction (GJ) channels provide direct intercellular communication. A GJ channel consists of two docked hemichannels and each hemichannel is a hexamer of six connexins. Human vascular connexins (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45) can form various types of gap junction channels to synchronize vasodilation/constriction to control local circulation. Most of our knowledge on heterotypic GJs of these vascular connexins comes from studies on rodent connexins. However it is not clear if these human connexins can also form heterotypic GJs. The present study used an in vitro expression system to investigate the coupling status and GJ properties of human heterotypic Cx37/Cx40, …