Gap junctions between odontoblasts revealed by transjunctional flux of fluorescent tracers.
Cell communication between odontoblasts was investigated with the use of fluorescent-dye tracers; Lucifer Yellow CH (molecular weight = 457.3), and dextran-Lucifer Yellow CH (average molecular weight = 10,000). Dyes were injected into cell bodies of individual odontoblasts via an intracellular microelectrode or into a group of cells through their processes, and passage to adjacent cells was examined with a fluorescence microscope. Lucifer Yellow CH appeared to diffuse very easily among odontoblasts, while dextran-Lucifer Yellow remained within the injected cell or cells. This efficient migration of Lucifer Yellow CH can be considered a functional manifestation of gap junctions between odontoblasts.
Ushiyama
J
J
General Research Institute, Nippon Dental University, School of Dentistry, Niigata, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D003911:Dextrans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D007478:Iontophoresis; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003911:Dextrans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007546:Isoquinolines; C017475:lucifer yellow