Polyamines regulate gap junction communication in connexin 43-expressing cells.
The control of cell-cell communication through gap junctions is thought to be crucial in normal tissue function and during various stages of tumorigenesis. However, few natural regulators of gap junctions have been found. We show here that increasing the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, or adding polyamines to the outside of cells, increases the level of gap junction communication between various epithelial cells. Conversely, reduction of ornithine decarboxylase activity decreases the level of gap junction communication. This regulation is dependent upon the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43 or Cxalpha1), which is a major connexin expressed in many different cell types, and involves an increase in Cx43 and its cellular re-distribution.
Shore
L
L
CRC Beatson Laboratories, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, Scotland, UK.
McLean
P
P
Gilmour
S K
SK
Hodgins
M B
MB
Finbow
M E
ME
D000818:Animals; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011700:Putrescine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013095:Spermidine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002070:Butadienes; D018031:Connexin 43; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C113580:U 0126; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine; D000518:Eflornithine