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The Role of ₁ (Connexin-43) Gap Junction Expression in Adrenal Cortical Cell Function¹

Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Sandra A. Murray, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania l5261.

To investigate the relationship between adrenal cell function and gap junction expression, a bovine adrenal cell line (SBAC) was studied. Western blot and immunocytochemical techniques were used to demonstrate gap junction expression in SBAC cell populations. Cells expressed ₁ (connexin 43) gap junction protein at points of cell-to-cell contact. Gap junction number and size increased in populations treated with ACTH (40 mU/ml) or dibutyryl cAMP (DbcAMP, 1.0 mM). Treatment with either ACTH or DbcAMP increased steroid production and cAMP levels. SBAC cell number, however, decreased in ACTH- or DbcAMP-treated populations. The number of cells increased in cultures transfected with ₁-antisense complementary DNA. Neither ACTH nor DbcAMP treatment decreased cell number or increased steroidogenesis in ₁-antisense complementary DNA-transfected cell populations. However, cell populations in which gap junctions were inhibited retained the capacity to increase cAMP production in response to ACTH (40 mU/ml) treatment. Hormone-stimulated gap junction expression and cell communication may represent an important factor in adrenal gland function and control of proliferation.

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