講座案内 ＞

細胞間コミュニケーションを担うギャップ結合
ギャップ結合は隣接細胞間にある接着装置の一つで，６つのコ ネクシン蛋白でできており，中央に小孔を持っている。この孔を通して低分子蛋白やイオンが通過し，細胞内情報を隣接細胞に伝達する。分子量が32KDaであるコネクシン（Cx）蛋白はCx32と呼ばれ，肝臓，膵臓，唾液腺，涙腺，腎臓，末梢神経などに存在する。 Cx32を認識する単クローン性抗体HAM8を用いて，形態学・生理学的な面から解析を行っている。

1. 肝臓，涙腺では組織における超微局在と，in vivoとin vitroでは経時的にCxの移動を調べ，細胞回転との関係を解析
2. 末梢神経では超微局在を明らかにし，再生神経での発現を解析
3. 腎臓の尿細管上皮細胞間のCx32を糖尿病状態での変化と比較しながら解析

The gap junction which shoulders the communication between adjacent cells
The gap junction is one of the adhesion mechanisms between adjacent cells, and it is made up of six connexin proteins, with a pore at the center. Low-molecular proteins and ions pass through this hole, and intracellular information is trasmitted to the adjacent cells. Connexin(Cx)protein, whose molecular weight, 32KDa, is called Cx32, exists for the liver, pancreas, salivary gland, lachry-mal gland, kidney, peripheral nerve, etc. Using monoclonal anti-body HAM8 which recognizes Cx32, the analysis is carried out using morphology and physiological planes.

1. In super micro localization and in vivo and in vitro in the organ-ization in the liver and lachrymal gland, the transfer of Cx is examined time-dependently, and the relationship with cell kinetics is analyzed.
2. In the peripheral nerve, the super micro localization is clarified, and the expression in the regeneration nerve is analyzed.
3. Cx32 between uriniferous tubules and epithelidal cells of the kidney is analyzed, and compared with Cx32 changes in diabetes mellitus.