Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Immunocytochemical demonstration of the gap junction proteins connexin 43 and connexin 45 in the musculature of the rat small intestine

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The immunohistochemical localization of connexin (Cx) 43 and Cx 45 in the musculature of the rat small intestine was studied at the ultrastructural level, with special reference to the interstitial cells of Cajal in the deep muscular plexus region (ICC-DMP). Cx 43 was localized at gap junctions formed between every group of cells, i.e., smooth muscle cell~smooth muscle cell, smooth muscle cell~ICC-DMP and ICC-DMP~ICC-DMP. In contrast, Cx 45 immunoreactivity was only detected at gap junctions between ICC-DMP~ICC-DMP. Since different types of Cx molecules have different properties for electrical and chemical coupling of cells, it is suggested that the homotypic network of ICC-DMP connected with Cx 45 gap junctions may function as an independent compartment segregated from the whole cellular network including the smooth muscle cells connected with Cx 43 gap junctions. It is further speculated that the ICC-DMP of the rat small intestine communicate with each other and with smooth muscle cells via the passage of messenger molecules through Cx 43, but they may use an additional mechanism, as yet unknown, for communications restricted to other ICC-DMP.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seki, K., Komuro, T. Immunocytochemical demonstration of the gap junction proteins connexin 43 and connexin 45 in the musculature of the rat small intestine. Cell Tissue Res 306, 417–422 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-001-0470-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-001-0470-2

Navigation