RGD Reference Report - Age-related alteration of gap junction distribution and connexin expression in rat aortic endothelium. - Rat Genome Database

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Age-related alteration of gap junction distribution and connexin expression in rat aortic endothelium.

Authors: Yeh, HI  Chang, HM  Lu, WW  Lee, YN  Ko, YS  Severs, NJ  Tsai, CH 
Citation: Yeh HI, etal., J Histochem Cytochem. 2000 Oct;48(10):1377-89.
RGD ID: 7207853
Pubmed: PMID:10990491   (View Abstract at PubMed)

We investigated endothelial gap junctions and their three component connexins, connexin37 (Cx37), Cx40, and Cx43, during growth and senescence in rat aorta by en face immunoconfocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Gap junction spots labeled by specific antisera against Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43 were quantified at 1 day, 7 days, 28 days, 16 months, and > or =20 months of age, and the relationship between the connexins was examined by co-localization analysis. At birth, all three connexins were abundantly expressed; the number and total area of connexin spots then declined within 1 week (p<0.05 for each connexin). From 1 week, each connexin showed a distinct temporal expression pattern. Whereas Cx43 signal decreased progressively, Cx37 signal fluctuated in a downward trend. By contrast, Cx40 maintained an abundant level until > or =20 months of age (> or =20 months vs. 28 days, p<0.05 for number and total connexin signal area). These patterns were associated with changes in endothelial cell morphology. Double-label analysis showed that the extent of co-localization of connexins to the same gap junctional spot was age-dependent [>70% at birth and 28 days old; <70% at later stages (p<0.05)]. We conclude that expression of the three connexins in aortic endothelium is age-related, implying specific intercellular communication requirements during different stages after birth.



Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process

  
Object SymbolSpeciesTermQualifierEvidenceWithNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
Gja1Ratendothelium development  IEP  RGD 
Gja4Ratendothelium development  IEP  RGD 
Gja5Ratendothelium development  IEP  RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Gja1  (gap junction protein, alpha 1)
Gja4  (gap junction protein, alpha 4)
Gja5  (gap junction protein, alpha 5)


Additional Information