Fast structural responses of gap junction membrane domains to AB5 toxins
Abstract
We used 3D Bessel beam plane illumination and spinning disk microscopy to reveal fast structural changes in the architecture of gap junctions (GJs). Previously, GJ plaques were considered relatively stable structures. We demonstrate extremely rapid remodeling of proteins and lipids within GJ plaques in response to bacterial toxin exposure. Connexin channels within GJ plaques undergo dramatic rearrangements that lead to increased connexin packing and lipid reorganization. These changes likely reflect lipid-phase separation events in the biological membrane. Toxin-induced connexin reorganization depends on lipids and is little modified by membrane-cytoskeletal interactions. We suggest that fast GJ changes upon toxin exposure reveal an early-response system of cells and that GJ plaques are much more dynamic structures than previously recognized.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- October 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1315850110
- Bibcode:
- 2013PNAS..110E4125M