title: Gap junctional communication underpins EDHF-type relaxations evoked by ACh in the rat hepatic artery.
abstract: Synthetic peptides homologous to the Gap 26 and Gap 27 domains of the first and second extracellular loops of the major vascular connexins (Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43) have been used to investigate the role of gap junctions in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-type relaxations of the rat hepatic artery. These peptides were designated 37,40Gap 26, 43Gap 26, 37,43Gap 27, and 40Gap 27, according to connexin specificity. When administered at 600 microM, none of the peptides individually affected maximal EDHF-type relaxations to ACh. By contrast, at 300 microM each, paired peptide combinations targeting more than one connexin subtype attenuated relaxation by up to 50%, and responses were abolished by the triple peptide combination 43Gap 26 + 40Gap 27 + 37,43Gap 27. In parallel experiments with A7r5 cells expressing Cx40 and Cx43, neither 43Gap 26 nor 40Gap 27 affected intercellular diffusion of Lucifer yellow individually but, in combination, significantly attenuated dye transfer. The findings confirm that functional cell-cell coupling may depend on more than one connexin subtype and demonstrate that direct intercellular communication via gap junctions constructed from Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43 underpins EDHF-type responses in the rat hepatic artery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chaytor
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Griffith
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001030:Apamin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D018999:Charybdotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine; D001030:Apamin; D001685:Biological Factors; D018999:Charybdotoxin; D004396:Coloring Agents; D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein; C067410:endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor