Söhl G, Güldenagel M, Traub O, Willecke K
Institut für Genetik, Abteilung für Molekulargenetik, Universität Bonn, Germany.
Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2000 Apr;32(1):138-45. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0173(99)00074-0.
Here, we review recent results from our laboratory on connexin expression in mouse retina in the context of previous results with other vertebrate species. In mouse retina, four different connexin proteins were detected by immunoblot and immunofluorescence: connexin (Cx)-36, -37, -43 and -45. Cx36 and Cx45 immunoreactive signals were found in the inner and outer plexiform layer, both of which are known to show interneuronal gap junctions. Cx43 was detected in the ganglion cell layer, presumably in astrocytes, where it appeared to be colocalized with glial fibrillary acid protein. Cx37 was expressed in retinal endothelial cells. Additionally, Cx26, -31, -32 and -40 mRNAs were detected in retina by RT-PCR but none of the corresponding proteins were found. In order to exclude cross reactions of the corresponding antibodies, retinae from targeted connexin-deficient mice (Cx31 -/-, Cx32 -/- and Cx40 -/-) were used as negative controls for immunoblot and immunofluorescence analyses of wild-type retina. Further detailed investigation of cell type specific connexin expression in the mouse retina will be necessary for functional analyses of targeted mouse mutants with defects in connexins expressed in retinal neuronal cells.
在此，我们结合之前在其他脊椎动物物种上的研究结果，回顾我们实验室近期关于小鼠视网膜中连接蛋白表达的研究成果。在小鼠视网膜中，通过免疫印迹和免疫荧光检测到四种不同的连接蛋白：连接蛋白（Cx）-36、-37、-43和-45。在已知存在神经元间缝隙连接的内、外网状层中发现了Cx36和Cx45免疫反应信号。在神经节细胞层检测到Cx43，推测存在于星形胶质细胞中，且其似乎与胶质纤维酸性蛋白共定位。Cx37在视网膜内皮细胞中表达。此外，通过逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）在视网膜中检测到Cx26、-31、-32和-40的信使核糖核酸（mRNA），但未发现相应蛋白质。为排除相应抗体的交叉反应，将靶向连接蛋白缺陷小鼠（Cx31 -/-、Cx32 -/-和Cx40 -/-）的视网膜用作野生型视网膜免疫印迹和免疫荧光分析的阴性对照。对于在视网膜神经元细胞中表达连接蛋白存在缺陷的靶向小鼠突变体进行功能分析，有必要对小鼠视网膜中细胞类型特异性连接蛋白表达进行更详细的研究。
