title: The M34A mutant of Connexin26 reveals active conductance states in pore-suspending membranes.
abstract: Connexin26 (Cx26) is a member of the connexin family, the building blocks for gap junction intercellular channels. These dodecameric assemblies are involved in gap junction-mediated cell-cell communication allowing the passage of ions and small molecules between two neighboring cells. Mutations in Cx26 lead to the disruption of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication with consequences such as hearing loss and skin disorders. We show here that a mutant of Cx26, M34A, forms an active hemichannel in lipid bilayer experiments. A comparison with the Cx26 wild-type is presented. Two different techniques using micro/nano-structured substrates for the formation of pore-suspending lipid membranes are used. We reconstituted the Cx26 wild-type and Cx26M34A into artificial lipid bilayers and observed single channel activity for each technique, with conductance levels of around 35, 70 and 165 pS for the wild-type. The conductance levels of Cx26M34A were found at around 45 and 70 pS.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gassmann
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kreir
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pranskevich
authors.forename: Atsunori
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Röling
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sosinsky
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fertig
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; C000607042:GJB2 protein, human; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D000072259:Connexin 26