The oligodendroglial precursor cell line Oli-neu represents a cell culture system to examine functional expression of the mouse gap junction gene connexin29 (Cx29).

The potential gap junction forming mouse connexin29 (Cx29) protein is concomitantly expressed with connexin32 (Cx32) in peripheral myelin forming Schwann cells and together with both Cx32 and connexin47 (Cx47) in oligodendrocytes of the CNS. To study the genomic structure and functional expression of Cx29, either primary cells or cell culture systems might be selected, from which the latter are easier to cultivate. Both structure and expression of Cx29 is still not fully understood.

Expression of connexin genes in the human retina.

Background: Gap junction channels allow direct metabolically and electrical coupling between adjacent cells in various mammalian tissues. Each channel is composed of 12 protein subunits, termed connexins (Cx). In the mouse retina, Cx43 could be localized mostly between astroglial cells whereas expression of Cx36, Cx45 and Cx57 genes has been detected in different neuronal subtypes.

Connexin 30 is expressed in the mouse sino-atrial node and modulates heart rate.

Aims: This study aimed at characterizing expression and the functional role of the Gjb6 gene, encoding for connexin 30 (Cx30) protein, in the adult mouse heart.

Methods And Results: The expression of the Gjb6 gene in the mouse heart was investigated by RT-PCR and sequencing of amplified cDNA fragments. The sites of Gjb6 expression were identified in the adult heart using transgenic mice with reporter genes (Cx30(LacZ/LacZ) and Cx30(LacZ/LacZ)/Cx40(EGFP/EGFP) mice), as well as anti-HCN4 (hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 4) or anti-connexin antibodies.

Keratin 18 provides resistance to Fas-mediated liver failure in mice.

Background: Keratins are intermediate filament proteins of epithelial cells with pivotal functions for cell integrity. They comprise keratins 18 [K18] and 8 [K8] in hepatocytes. Keratins are of major importance for an intact cellular microarchitecture and have protective functions in human liver diseases.

Mouse lens connexin23 (Gje1) does not form functional gap junction channels but causes enhanced ATP release from HeLa cells.

In the mouse genome, 20 connexin genes have been detected that code for proteins of high sequence identity in the two extracellular loops, especially six conserved cysteine residues. The mouse connexin23 (Cx23) gene (Gje1) differs from all other connexin genes in vertebrates, since it codes for a protein that contains only 4 instead of 6 cysteine residues in the extracellular loops. Recently, two zebrafish connexin genes (Cx23a and Cx23b) have been identified, and a mouse mutant in the Gje1 gene has been described that exhibits a developmental defect in the lens.