Site-specific connexin phosphorylation is associated with reduced heterocellular communication between smooth muscle and endothelium

Straub, A.C., Johnstone, S.R., Heberlein, K.R., Rizzo, M.J., Best, A.K., Boitano, S. and Isakson, B.E. (2010) Site-specific connexin phosphorylation is associated with reduced heterocellular communication between smooth muscle and endothelium. Journal of Vascular Research, 47(4), pp. 277-286. (doi: 10.1159/000265562)

Abstract

Background/Aims: Myoendothelial junctions (MEJs) represent a specialized signaling domain between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The functional consequences of phosphorylation state of the connexins (Cx) at the MEJ have not been explored. Methods/Results: Application of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium (pCPT) to mouse cremasteric arterioles reduces the detection of connexin 43 (Cx43) phosphorylated at its carboxyl terminal serine 368 site (S368) at the MEJ in vivo. After single-cell microinjection of a VSMC in mouse cremaster arterioles, only in the presence of pCPT was dye transfer to EC observed. We used a vascular cell co-culture (VCCC) and applied the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (PMA) or fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) to induce phosphorylation of Cx43 S368. This phosphorylation event was associated with a significant reduction in dye transfer and calcium communication. Using a novel method to monitor increases in intracellular calcium across the in vitro MEJ, we noted that PMA and FGF-2 both inhibited movement of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), but to a lesser extent Ca2+. Conclusion: These data indicate that site-specific connexin phosphorylation at the MEJ can potentially regulate the movement of solutes between EC and VSMC in the vessel wall.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Johnstone, Dr Scott
• Authors: Straub, A.C., Johnstone, S.R., Heberlein, K.R., Rizzo, M.J., Best, A.K., Boitano, S., and Isakson, B.E.
• Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General); Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH345 Biochemistry
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of Vascular Research
• Publisher: S. Karger AG
• ISSN: 1018-1172
• ISSN (Online): 1423-0135
• Published Online: 16 December 2009