Cloning, embryonic expression, and functional characterization of two novel connexins from Xenopus laevis

Vertebrate gap junctions are constituted of connexin (Cx) proteins. In Xenopus laevis, only seven different Cxs have been described so far. Here, we identify two new Cxs from X. laevis. Cx28.6 displays >60% amino acid identity with human Cx25, Cx29 displays strong homology with mouse Cx26 and Cx3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2006-10, Vol.349 (2), p.855-862
Main Authors: de Boer, Teun P., Kok, Bart, Roël, Giulietta, van Veen, Toon A.B., Destrée, Olivier H.J., Rook, Martin B., Vos, Marc A., de Bakker, Jacques M.T., van der Heyden, Marcel A.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Cement gland
Chlorocebus aethiops
Cloning, Molecular
Connexin
Connexin 26
Connexin 30
Connexins - chemistry
Connexins - genetics
Connexins - metabolism
COS Cells
Electrophysiology
Endoderm
Expression
Gap junction
Gap Junction beta-1 Protein
Gap Junctions
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Humans
Liver anlage
Mesoderm
Mesoderm - metabolism
Molecular Sequence Data
Organizer
Phylogeny
Pronephros
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Xenopus
Xenopus laevis
Xenopus laevis - metabolism
Xenopus Proteins - chemistry
Xenopus Proteins - genetics
Xenopus Proteins - metabolism
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Summary:Vertebrate gap junctions are constituted of connexin (Cx) proteins. In Xenopus laevis, only seven different Cxs have been described so far. Here, we identify two new Cxs from X. laevis. Cx28.6 displays >60% amino acid identity with human Cx25, Cx29 displays strong homology with mouse Cx26 and Cx30. Cx29 is expressed throughout embryonic development. Cx28.6 mRNA is only transiently found from stage 22 to 26 of development. While no Cx28.6 expression could be detected by whole mount in situ hybridization, expression of Cx29 was found in the developing endoderm, lateral mesoderm, liver anlage, pronephros, and proctodeum. Ectopic expression of Cx28.6 failed to produce functional gap-junctions. In contrast, ectopic expression of full-length Cx29 in HEK293 and COS-7 cells resulted in the formation of gap junction-like structures at the cell–cell interfaces. Ectopic expression of Cx29 in communication deficient N2A cell pairs led to functional electrical coupling.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.08.121