Connexin45 modulates the proliferation of transit-amplifying precursor cells in the mouse subventricular zone

K Khodosevich, A Zuccotti… - Proceedings of the …, 2012 - National Acad Sciences
K Khodosevich, A Zuccotti, MM Kreuzberg, C Le Magueresse, M Frank, K Willecke…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012National Acad Sciences
Connexins have been implicated in the regulation of precursor cell migration and
proliferation during embryonic development of the mammalian brain. However, their function
in postnatal neurogenesis is unclear. Here we demonstrate that connexin (Cx) 45 is
expressed in transit-amplifying cells and neuroblasts in the postnatal subventricular zone
(SVZ) and modulated the proliferation of SVZ-derived precursor cells in vivo. Thus,
overexpression of Cx45 by retroviral injections increased the proliferation of Mash-1 …
Connexins have been implicated in the regulation of precursor cell migration and proliferation during embryonic development of the mammalian brain. However, their function in postnatal neurogenesis is unclear. Here we demonstrate that connexin (Cx) 45 is expressed in transit-amplifying cells and neuroblasts in the postnatal subventricular zone (SVZ) and modulated the proliferation of SVZ-derived precursor cells in vivo. Thus, overexpression of Cx45 by retroviral injections increased the proliferation of Mash-1–positive transit-amplifying precursor cells in the SVZ. Conversely, conditional deletion of Cx45 in precursor cells decreased proliferation. Finally, we established that Cx45 positively influences cell cycle reentry via ATP signaling that involves intracellular calcium stores and ERK1/2 signaling.
National Acad Sciences