Neuronal Gap Junctions: Cx36 Gating, Binding & Function

神经元间隙连接：Cx36 门控、结合

• 批准号: 6460262
• 负责人: David C Spray
• 金额: $ 41.82万
• 依托单位: ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-02-01 至 2007-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6460262
• 关键词: cell line; circular dichroism; confocal scanning microscopy; gap junctions; gene expression; high performance liquid chromatography; immunoprecipitation; laboratory mouse; mass spectrometry; membrane channels; membrane permeability; microarray technology; neurogenesis; neurons; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; phosphorylation; protein binding; protein protein interaction; protein structure function; site directed mutagenesis; surface plasmon resonance; synapses; transfection

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Electrical synapses between neurons are formed by gap junction channels, through which ions and metabolites pass directly from one cell to the next. Recent evidence indicates that other proteins are associated with connexins at gap junctions, and we have termed this macromolecular complex the Nexus. We hypothesize that the Nexus components may regulate both the properties of the gap junction channels and also may function in intracellular signal transduction. A new gap junction protein, connexin36, has been identified that is largely restricted in its expression to neurons, and we have shown that the channels formed by this connexin have properties that seem to uniquely suit it as a neuronal connexin. The goals of this grant application are to characterize the gating, permeability and conductance properties with regard to the protein domains involved, to identify other proteins in brain and neuron lysates that bind to connexin36, measure the strengths of interaction using surface plasmon resonance, and perform physiological experiments on neuron-like cells to determine the effects of Cx36 expression on neuronal differentiation and gene expression patterns. In addition, a major goal of this application is to obtain structural information using spectroscopic methods regarding domains of Cx36 that interact with each other and with other proteins. These studies use a multidisciplinary approach directed at exploring a new concept in the field and as such are expected to lead to novel understanding of regulation and roles of gap junctions in the nervous system.

描述（由申请人提供）：神经元之间的电突触是