GAP JUNCTION AND CELL-CELL COMMUNICATION

拟议的研究项目的目的将是研究分子 通过缝隙连接进行细胞间通信的基础，并研究 缝隙连接通讯在胚胎发育中的生物学作用 发育和组织分化。本提案载有一项 综合利用蛋白质化学，超微结构， 免疫学、生物物理学和重组DNA方法。具体的 目标包括研究：孤立缝隙连接的特征； 缝隙连接抗体的产生；缝隙连接的重组 缝隙连接的体外和体内合成及生物发生； 沟通在胚胎发育中的生物学作用；以及关系 细胞分化过程中的沟通和基因表达之间的关系。 我们将继续对纤维蛋白原的初步观察 来自我们目前对缝隙连接的研究。到目前为止，这些研究已经 为确定纤维蛋白原为主要成分提供了依据 多种组织的细胞外基质(ECM)。具体目标 包括研究：细胞外基质纤维蛋白原的特性； 细胞外基质纤维蛋白原的体外生物合成及在多种组织中的表达 在体内；纤维蛋白原在胚胎中的发育表达；以及 纤维蛋白原在胚胎发育中的生物学作用。

The purpose of the proposed research project will be to study the molecular basis for cell-cell communication via gap junctions, and to study the biological role of gap junctional communication during embryonic development and tissue differentiation. The present proposal contains an integrated effort utilizing protein chemical, ultrastructural, immunological, biophysical, and recombinant DNA approaches. The specific aims include studies on: characterization of isolated gap junctions; generation of gap junction antibodies; reconstitution of gap junction channels; synthesis and biogenesis of gap junctions in vitro and in vivo; biological role of communication in embryonic development; and relationship between communication and gene expression during cell differentiation. We will continue the initial observations on fibrinogen that have resulted from our current studies on gap junctions. Thus far, these studies have provided the basis for identifying fibrinogen as a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of a variety of tissues. The specific aims include studying: the characteristics of ECM fibrinogen; figrinogen gene expression in various tissues; biosynthesis of ECM fibrinogen in vitro and in vivo; developmental expression of fibrinogen in embryos; and the biological role of fibrinogen during embryonic development.