Functional alterations in gut contractility after connexin36 ablation and evidence for gap junctions forming electrical synapses between nitrergic enteric neurons. Issue 8 (15th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nagy, James Imre; Urena-Ramirez, Viridiana; Ghia, Jean-Eric
• Is Part Of: FEBS letters. Volume 588:Issue 8(2014)
• Page Start: 1480
• Page End: 1490
• Publication Date: 2014-02-15
• Subjects: C-off -- off contraction -- Cx36 -- connexin36 -- EFS -- electrical field stimulation -- ENS -- enteric nervous system -- EGFP -- enhanced green fluorescent protein -- GABAergic -- gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic -- GJIC -- gap junctional intercellular communication -- ko -- knockout -- NANC -- non-adrenergic non-cholinergic -- mN -- millinewton -- NO -- nitric oxide -- nNOS -- neuronal nitric oxide synthase -- SMA -- smooth muscle activity -- TTX -- tetrodotoxin -- WT -- wild-type -- Gastrointestinal system -- Nitric oxide -- Nitric oxide synthase -- Immunofluorescence -- EGFP reporter -- Connexin36 knockout; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Biochemistry; Biophysics; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-5793

Abstract

Abstract : Neurons in the enteric nervous system utilize numerous neurotransmitters to orchestrate rhythmic gut smooth muscle contractions. We examined whether electrical synapses formed by gap junctions containing connexin36 also contribute to communication between enteric neurons in mouse colon. Spontaneous contractility properties and responses to electrical field stimulation and cholinergic agonist were altered in gut from connexin36 knockout vs . wild‐type mice. Immunofluorescence revealed punctate labelling of connexin36 that was localized at appositions between somata of enteric neurons immunopositive for the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. There is indication for a possible functional role of gap junctions between inhibitory nitrergic enteric neurons. Abstract : Cx36 forms gap junctions between enteric neurons that express nitric oxide synthase. Spontaneous and stimulus‐induced gut contractions are altered in Cx36 knockout mice. Impairments in the ko mice suggest deficits in enteric inhibitory neurons. Dysfunction of enteric neuronal gap junctions may exacerbate human gut disorders.