Expression patterns of connexin 29 (GJE1) in mouse and rat cochlea.
Multiple types of connexin (Cxs) products, including Cx26, Cx30, Cx31, and Cx43, are found by immunolabeling in the mature cochlea. The transcript of Cx29, a newly discovered member of Cx gene family, was also discovered in the cochlea by cDNA macroarray hybridization. However, the functional roles of Cx29 in the cochlea remain unclear. To elucidate whether the Cx29 gap junction protein epsilon 1, GJE1, is localized in the adult mouse and rat cochlea, we performed an immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. GJE1 was detected in the cochlea neurons, spiral limbus, spiral ligament, organ of Corti, and stria vascularis using IHC analysis. We also show that Cx29 mRNA is present in spiral limbus, spiral ligament, organ of Corti, stria vascularis, and lateral wall by the method of RT-PCR. Higher levels of Cx29 mRNA were found in spiral ligament and spiral limbus, whereas lower level in lateral wall. Our data first provide a comprehensive and detailed pattern of Cx29 gene expression in the mouse and rat cochlea. Knowledge of spatial distribution of Cx29 also allows the identification of candidate genes for deafness and provides important insight into mechanisms that lead to deafness due to mutations in Cx29 gene.
Yang
Jiann-Jou
JJ
Genetics Laboratory and Department of BioMedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Liao
Pei-Ju
PJ
Su
Ching-Chyuan
CC
Li
Shuan-Yow
SY
D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000378:metabolism*; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013045:Species Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D017630:Connexins; C464673:Gje1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C506880:connexin 29, rat