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Gap Junctions Formed of Connexin43 Are Found Between Smooth Muscle Cells of Human Corpus Cavernosum

1993; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 149; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0022-5347(17)36455-8

1527-3792

Antônio Carlos Campos de Carvalho, Christine Le Roy, Alonso P. Moreno, Arnold Melman, Elliot L. Hertzberg, George J. Christ, David C. Spray,

Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

No AccessJournal of Urology1 Jun 1993Gap Junctions Formed of Connexin43 Are Found Between Smooth Muscle Cells of Human Corpus Cavernosum A.C. Campos De Carvalho, C. Roy, A.P. Moreno, A. Melman, E.L. Hertzberg, G.J. Christ, and D.C. Spray A.C. Campos De CarvalhoA.C. Campos De Carvalho , C. RoyC. Roy , A.P. MorenoA.P. Moreno , A. MelmanA. Melman , E.L. HertzbergE.L. Hertzberg , G.J. ChristG.J. Christ , and D.C. SprayD.C. Spray View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(17)36455-8AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Despite sparse autonomic innervation, the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum relax and contract synchronously to achieve penile erection and flaccidity. As with other smooth muscle cell types, the excitation process in the corpora is presumably propagated through gap junctions to allow the diffusion of current-carrying ions and second messenger molecules from cell to cell. Using both molecular and immunocytochemical techniques, we have identified gap junctions between human corporal smooth muscle cells in situ and in culture. Northern analyses demonstrated that corporal smooth muscle cells express the gap junction protein connexin43, but not connexin26 mRNA. Immunoblots showed the presence of connexin43 isoforms, whereas connexin32 was not detected. Immunocytochemical studies in cultured cells identified prominent connexin43 immuno-reactive puncta between cells, as well as within the cytoplasm. In addition, gap junction membranes both in situ and in culture were labelled in thin section by anti-connexin43 antibodies using the immunogold technique. We conclude that the presence and distribution of gap junctions in this sparsely innervated tissue may provide an important mechanism of intercellular communication among the smooth muscle cells, and thus play a major role in coordinating tissue contraction and relaxation. © 1993 by The American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 149Issue 6June 1993Page: 1568-1575 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 1993 by The American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Keywordsimmunohistochemistryintercellular junctionselectronpenismicroscopyMetricsAuthor Information A.C. Campos De Carvalho More articles by this author C. Roy More articles by this author A.P. Moreno More articles by this author A. Melman More articles by this author E.L. Hertzberg More articles by this author G.J. Christ More articles by this author D.C. Spray More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...