We report here rapid assembly of gap junctions in prostate epithelial cells in vitro. Assembly of gap junctions can be induced by incubation at 0 degrees C followed by incubation at 37 degrees C. Colchicine (10(-5) M, 10(-3) M) and cytochalasin B (25 micrograms/ml), 100 micrograms/ml) at room temperature or at 37 degrees C also induce assembly of gap junctions. Assembly of the junctions proceeds even in the presence of a metabolic inhibitor (dinitrophenol) or of an inhibitor of protein synthesis (cycloheximide). We conclude that assembly of gap junctions can proceed from a pool of pre-existing precursors. The experimental conditions that result in gap-junction assembly involve perturbation of the cytoskeleton. Therefore, we propose that the assembly of gap junctions requires convergent migration of precursor molecules whose positional control in the membrane is released by perturbation of the cytoskeleton. Aggregates of particles and rugosities, whose distribution size and shape is similar to that of gap junctions, may represent intermediate assembly stages. This would indicate that the final stages in the assembly take place only after convergence of the precursor molecules to the junctional site and involve profound conformational changes required for establishment of fully assembled connexons.
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1 May 1983
Article|
May 01 1983
In vitro, rapid assembly of gap junctions is induced by cytoskeleton disruptors.
G Tadvalkar
P Pinto da Silva
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
J Cell Biol (1983) 96 (5): 1279–1287.
Citation
G Tadvalkar, P Pinto da Silva; In vitro, rapid assembly of gap junctions is induced by cytoskeleton disruptors.. J Cell Biol 1 May 1983; 96 (5): 1279–1287. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.96.5.1279
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