Update on connexins and gap junctions in neurons and glia in the mammalian nervous system.
Among the 20 proposed members of the connexin family of proteins that form gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) channels in mammalian tissues, over half are reported to be expressed in the nervous system. There have been conflicting observations, however, concerning the particular connexins expressed by astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells and neurons. Identification of the several connexin proteins at gap junctions between each neuronal and glial cell type is essential for the rational design of investigations into the functions of GJIC between glial cells and into the functional contributions of electrical and "mixed" (chemical plus electrical) synapses to communication between neurons in the mammalian nervous system. In this report, we provide a summary of recent findings regarding the localization of connexins in gap junctions between glial cells and between neurons. Attention is drawn to technical considerations involved in connexin localization by light and electron microscope immunohistochemistry and to limitations of physiological methods and approaches currently used to analyze neuronal and glial coupling. Early physiological studies that provided evidence for the presence of gap junctions and electrical synapses in isolated regions of the mammalian brain and spinal cord are reexamined in light of recent evidence for widely expressed neuron-specific connexins and for the existence of several newly discovered types of gap junctions linking neurons.
Nagy
James I
JI
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, 730 William Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3E 3J7. nagyji@ms.umanitoba.ca
Dudek
F Edward
FE
Rash
John E
JE
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D017630:Connexins