Regulated expression of the X. tropicalis connexin43 promoter.
The spatio-temporal expression pattern of the connexin43 gene during Xenopus development has been described (Van der Heyden et al. 2001). To further investigate the regulation and function of connexin43 (Cx43) in amphibians, we have isolated the gene from Xenopus tropicalis (Xt) and determined its structure. The X. tropicalis Cx43 gene displays the typical two exon-one intron connexin configuration, where the first exon is non-coding. The predicted amino acid sequence of the XtCx43 protein is highly homologous to that of X. laevis, chicken and mammals. Expression of XtCx43 cDNA in N2A cells results in gap-junction plaque formation. Promoter activity of a 3.5 kb upstream region of the X. tropicalis Cx43 gene, including exon 1, mimics endogenous timing of expression after injection of reporter constructs in X. laevis embryos.
Van der Heyden
M A
MA
Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Roeleveld
L
L
Reneman
S
S
Peterson
J
J
Destrée
O H
OH
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D005091:Exons; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014981:Xenopus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D018031:Connexin 43