Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Visualization of Annular Gap Junction Vesicle Processing: The Interplay between Annular Gap Junctions and Mitochondria

Version 1 : Received: 14 May 2018 / Approved: 15 May 2018 / Online: 15 May 2018 (08:39:33 CEST)

How to cite: Bell, C. L.; Shakespeare, T. I.; Murray, S. A. Visualization of Annular Gap Junction Vesicle Processing: The Interplay between Annular Gap Junctions and Mitochondria. Preprints 2018, 2018050211. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201805.0211.v1 Bell, C. L.; Shakespeare, T. I.; Murray, S. A. Visualization of Annular Gap Junction Vesicle Processing: The Interplay between Annular Gap Junctions and Mitochondria. Preprints 2018, 2018050211. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201805.0211.v1

Abstract

It is becoming clear that in addition to gap junctions, playing a role in cell-cell communication, gap junction proteins, connexins, located in cytoplasmic-compartments may have other important functions. Mitochondrial connexin 43 (Cx43) is increased after ischemic preconditioning and has been suggested to play a protective role in the heart. How Cx43 traffics to the mitochondria and the interactions of mitochondria with other Cx43-containing structures are unknown. In this study, immunocytochemical, super-resolution and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect cytoplasmic Cx43-containing structure and to demonstrate their interactions with other cytoplasmic organelles. The most prominent cytoplasmic Cx43-containing structures, annular gap junctions, were demonstrated to form intimate associations with lysosomes as well as with mitochondria. Surprisingly, the frequency of associations between mitochondria and annular gap junctions was greater than that between lysosomes and annular gap junctions. The benefits of annular gap junction/mitochondrial associations are not known. However, it is tempting to suggest that the contact between annular gap junction vesicles and mitochondria facilitates Cx43 deliver to the mitochondria. Furthermore, it points to the need for investigating trafficking of Cx43 to cytoplasmic compartments and annular gap junction as more than only a vesicle destined for degradation.

Keywords

gap junction; connexin; annular gap junction vesicle; mitochondria; lysosome

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.