Genetically modified mice: tools to decode the functions of connexins in the heart-new models for cardiovascular research.
It has long been known that gap junctions are required for the propagation of electrical impulse in the heart. A good deal later, the connexins (Cxs), which are probably exclusive components of the junctional channels that constitute the gap junctions, were identified. More recently, the in vivo functions of cardiac Cxs have been investigated by the analysis of genetically modified mice. These studies have confirmed that Cxs are involved in cardiac impulse conduction, and, unexpectedly, in heart morphogenesis. In addition, cardiac abnormalities described in mice genetically modified for Cx genes, and those observed in certain human cardiac diseases, have been proven to be similar.
Gros
Daniel
D
Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie du Développement (UMR CNRS 6545), Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseilles cedex 13288, France. gros@ibdm.univ-mrs.fr
Dupays
Laurent
L
Alcoléa
Sébastien
S
Meysen
Sonia
S
Miquerol
Lucile
L
Théveniau-Ruissy
Magali
M
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D006327:Heart Block / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D023421:Models, Animal; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism*
D017630:Connexins