Expression pattern and functional characterization of connexin29 in transgenic mice.
Using newly generated transgenic mice in which the coding region of the connexin29 (Cx29) gene was replaced by the lacZ reporter gene, we confirmed previous immunochemical results that Cx29 is expressed in Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes and Bergmann glia cells. In addition, we detected lacZ/Cx29 in Schwann cells of the sciatic nerve and in particular of the spiral ganglion in the inner ear, as well as at low abundance in the stria vascularis. Furthermore, we found lacZ/Cx29 expression in nonmyelinating Schwann cells of the adrenal gland, in chondrocytes of intervertebral discs and the epiphysis of developing bones. Electron microscopic analyses of myelin sheaths in the central and peripheral nervous system of Cx29-deficient mice detected no abnormalities. The nerve conduction in the sciatic nerve of adult Cx29-deficient mice and the auditory brain stem response as well as visually evoked potentials in 4- to 10-week-old Cx29-deficient mice were not different from wild-type littermate controls. Thus, in contrast to connexin32 and connexin47, which are also expressed in myelinating cells, Cx29 does not contribute to the function of myelin in adult mice.
Eiberger
Jürgen
J
Institut für Genetik, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Kibschull
Mark
M
Strenzke
Nicola
N
Schober
Andreas
A
Büssow
Heinrich
H
Wessig
Carsten
C
Djahed
Sina
S
Reucher
Harald
H
Koch
Dirk Alex
DA
Lautermann
Jürgen
J
Moser
Tobias
T
Winterhager
Elke
E
Willecke
Klaus
K
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000378:metabolism; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000235:genetics; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007763:Lac Operon; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000235:genetics; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D017630:Connexins; C464673:Gje1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins