EFFECTS OF MECHANICAL STIMULATION ON THE DYE UPTAKEIN Cx43 TRANSFECTED HELA CELLS
机械刺激在间隙连接半通道活动中的作用

The role of mechanical stimulation in dye uptake of hemichannel of gap junction was studied. Single drop of solution falling from different height on the cell surface was used as machanical stimulation. Dye uptake was observed after the falling of single drop of 5(6)-carboxyfluoresein(dye) EGTA on the cell surface and the intensity of dye uptake was increased as ascending of the falling height. By adding the dye slowly from the edge of the dish, to get rid of machanical stimulation, there was no dye uptake in all cells. Falling of one drop of medium and adding dye EGTA from the edge of the dish thereafter, the dye uptake in cells was increased with the increment of the falling height. TPA, a strong carcinogenic substance and modulator of PKC, which inhibits the permeability of gap junctions reduced the dye uptake significantly. It is suggested that machanical stimulation is an initiating factor of the hemi-channel opening and EGTA enhances the opening.