Development of astrocytes and neurons in cultured brain slices from mice lacking connexin43.
Astrocyte and neuronal development was investigated in organotypic brain slice cultures from mouse fetuses with a null mutation in the connexin43 gene. Astrocyte morphology and electrical properties were indistinguishable in null mutant slices and control slices but at 18 days in vitro astrocyte density in the central regions of the null mutant slices was significantly higher than in control slices. Neuronal development assessed morphologically and electrophysiologically appeared normal in the mutant slices. These results suggest that intercellular communication mediated through connexin43 is not essential for the development of astrocytes and neurons but may play a role in regulating astrocytic migration.
Perez Velazquez
J L
JL
Department of Physiology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Frantseva
M
M
Naus
C C
CC
Bechberger
J F
JF
Juneja
S C
SC
Velumian
A
A
Carlen
P L
PL
Kidder
G M
GM
Mills
L R
LR
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D012016:Reference Values
D018031:Connexin 43; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins