EXPRESSION OF GAP JUNCTION PROTEIN CX43 IN CULTURED NORMAL HUMAN EMBRYONIC LUNG CELLS AND LUNG CARCINOMA CELLS
间隙连接蛋白Cx43在人胚肺和肺癌细胞表达的研究

This report concerns the expression of the gap junction protein connexin (Cx)43 in malignant and normal human lung cells.By using Northern hybridhation analysis, Cx43 immunofluorescent staining and Lucifer Yellow dye transfer methods,high level of Cx43 mRNA and protein expression was revealed in cultural nounal human elnbryothe lUng all.The Cx43 protein was locatal at regions of Cell inelnbrane and the induce of Cell contact comeponding to gap junctions. The function of gap junctional inteedtilar cornxnunication was shown by effident dye transfer. In contrast to normal,the malignant human lung cadriorna PG Cells expansed neither Cx43 InRNA nor the Cx43 protein. These tumor Cells were defative o f gap junctional interCellular communication funCtion.The results indicate thatta) Connexin 43 expel funCtionally in nounal human lung Cells(b) Inhibition or down-regtilation of Cx43 gene tranScription is responsible for the defer of gap junCtional intercellular communication in human lung carcinoma PG Cells. The roles of Cx43 gene as tumor suppussor is discussed.