Document Detail


Differential connexin distribution accommodates cardiac function in different species.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8534903     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Using immunohistochemical staining, the distribution of connexin40 (Cx40) and connexin43 (Cx43) was studied in rat, guinea pig, porcine, bovine and human hearts. These species display differences in the degree of morphological differentiation of the conduction system. This study was performed in the anticipation that comparison of the distributions of Cx40 and Cx43 in young and adult specimens may provide clues as to the physiological role of connexins in the heart. To a large extent, the distribution patterns of Cx40 and Cx43 are comparable between species. In neonates and adults, Cx43 was immunolocalized throughout the working myocardium, but in the conduction system Cx43 was detected only after birth. Cx40 was found to appear slightly earlier in development than Cx43 and to disappear when levels of Cx43 became more abundant. This time course was seen in working myocardium and in the ventricular conduction system. Together these data suggest that expression of Cx40 induces or facilitates expression of Cx43, while abundant expression of Cx43 in turn leads to suppression of Cx40 expression. The exceptions to this may represent blocks in this potential regulatory sequence. A second conclusion is that Cx40 and Cx43 containing gap junctions appear in the ventricular conduction system from distal to proximal and only after birth. This indicates that terminal differentiation of the conduction system occurs unexpectedly late in development.
Authors:
M J van Kempen; I ten Velde; A Wessels; P W Oosthoek; D Gros; H J Jongsma; A F Moorman; W H Lamers
Related Documents :
352523 - Perspectives on physiological monitoring: junctional-type potentials in the food ventri...
1610633 - Spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section: 0.125% plain bupivacaine 12 ml compared with ...
12662213 - Effects of direct mechanical ventricular assistance on regional myocardial function in ...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Microscopy research and technique     Volume:  31     ISSN:  1059-910X     ISO Abbreviation:  Microsc. Res. Tech.     Publication Date:  1995 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1996-02-05     Completed Date:  1996-02-05     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9203012     Medline TA:  Microsc Res Tech     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  420-36     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Cattle
Cell Communication
Connexin 43 / metabolism*
Connexins / metabolism*
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Gap Junctions / metabolism*
Guinea Pigs
Heart / physiology*
Heart Conduction System / metabolism
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Infant, Newborn
Male
Myocardium / cytology,  metabolism*
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Species Specificity
Swine
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Connexin 43; 0/Connexins; 0/connexin 40

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Gap junctions in the vertebrate retina.
Next Document:  Gap junctions revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy.