title: The detection of hamster connexins: a comparison of expression profiles with wild-type mouse and the cancer-prone Min mouse.
abstract: The open reading frames of 17 connexins from Syrian hamster (using tissues) and 16 connexins from the Chinese hamster cell line V79, were fully (Cx30, Cx31, Cx37, Cx43 and Cx45) or partially sequenced. We have also detected, and partially sequenced, seven rat connexins that previously were unavailable. The expression of connexin genes was examined in some hamster organs and cultured hamster cells, and compared with wild-type mouse and the cancer-prone Min mouse. Although the expression patterns were similar for most organs and connexins in hamster and mouse, there were also some prominent differences (Cx29 and 30.3 in testis; Cx31.1 and 32 in eye; Cx46 in brain, kidney and testis; Cx47 in kidney). This suggests that some connexins have species-specific expression profiles. In contrast, there were minimal differences in expression profiles between wild type and Min mice. Species-specific expression profiles should be considered in attempts to make animal models of human connexin-associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Cancer, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. veronique.cruciani@labmed.uio.no
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cruciani
authors.forename: Karen-Marie
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Heintz
authors.forename: Trine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Husøy
authors.forename: Eivind
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hovig
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Svein-Ole
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Mikalsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D017630:Connexins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017491:Genes, APC; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D012333:RNA, Messenger