title: Quantifying changes in gap junction structure as a function of lens fiber cell differentiation.
abstract: The ocular lens is an ideal model system for studying gap junction structure-function relationships. Here we apply novel methods to quantitatively compare connexin expression over macroscopic distances while simultaneously resolving the intracellular distribution of gap junctions in sub-micron detail. Our approach has identified three distinct zones of connexin density and allowed changes in gap junction plaque size, number and dispersion to be quantified. Our analysis is the first to precisely correlate changes in gap junction plaque structure with the reported changes in gap junction function that occur as a consequence of fiber cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiology, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soeller
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cannell
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Donaldson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; C082917:GJA3 protein, human