Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/12656
Title: 7-Ketocholesterol modulates intercellular communication through gap-junction in bovine lens epithelial cells
Authors: Girão, Henrique 
Catarino, Steve 
Pereira, Paulo 
Issue Date: 1-Jun-2004
Publisher: BioMed Central
Citation: Cell Communication and Signaling. 2:2 (2004) 10 p.
Abstract: Background: Connexin43 (Cx43) is an integral membrane protein that forms intercellular channels called gap junctions. Intercellular communication in the eye lens relies on an extensive network of gap junctions essential for the maintenance of lens transparency. The association of Cx43 with cholesterol enriched lipid raft domains was recently demonstrated. The objective of this study is to assess if products of cholesterol oxidation (oxysterols) affect gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Results: Primary cultures of lens epithelial cells (LEC) were incubated with 7-ketocholesterol (7- Keto), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH) or cholesterol and the subcellular distribution of Cx43 was evaluated by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The levels of Cx43 present in gap junction plaques were assessed by its insolubility in Triton X-100 and quantified by western blotting. The stability of Cx43 at the plasma membrane following incubation with oxysterols was evaluated by biotinylation of cell surface proteins. Gap junction intercellular communication was evaluated by transfer of the dye Lucifer yellow. The results obtained showed that 7-keto induces an accumulation of Cx43 at the plasma membrane and an increase in intercellular communication through gap junction. However, incubation with cholesterol or 25-OH did not lead to significant alterations on subcellular distribution of Cx43 nor in intercellular communication. Data further suggests that increased intercellular communication results from increased stability of Cx43 at the plasma membrane, presumably forming functional gap-junctions, as suggested by decreased solubility of Cx43 in 1% Triton X-100. The increased stability of Cx43 at the plasma membrane seems to be specific and not related to disruption of endocytic pathway, as demonstrated by dextran uptake. Conclusions: Results demonstrate, for the first time, that 7-keto induces an increase in gap junction intercellular communication, that is most likely due to an increased stability of protein at the plasma membrane and to increased abundance of Cx43 assembled in gap junction plaques
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/12656
ISSN: 1478-811X
DOI: 10.1186/1478-811X-2-2
Rights: openAccess
Appears in Collections:FMUC Medicina - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat
7-Ketocholesterol modulates intercellular communication.pdf491.82 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
Show full item record

SCOPUSTM   
Citations

14
checked on Feb 26, 2024

Page view(s)

302
checked on Mar 26, 2024

Download(s)

153
checked on Mar 26, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.