Connexin 43 and the glucose transporter, GLUT1, in the ciliary body of the rat

Histochem Cell Biol. 1996 Aug;106(2):209-14. doi: 10.1007/BF02484402.

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between the gap junction protein connexin 43 and the glucose transporter GLUT1, their localization was visualized by double-immunofluorescence microscopy using frozen sections as well as immunogold staining of ultrathin frozen sections. In pigmented epithelial cells, most of the GLUT1 was localized along the plasma membrane facing the blood vessels, whereas in non-pigmented epithelial cells, it was present along the plasma membrane facing the aqueous humor. Connexin 43 was abundant in the ciliary body and localized mainly in the gap junctions connecting the pigmented and non-pigmented epithelial cells. Localization of GLUT1 and connexin 43 in the blood-aqueous barrier suggests that GLUT1, connexin 43, and GLUT1 disposed in this order could be a machinery responsible for the transport of glucose across the blood-aqueous barrier.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Ciliary Body / chemistry*
  • Ciliary Body / ultrastructure
  • Connexin 43 / analysis*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Immunoblotting
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / analysis*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins
  • Slc2a1 protein, rat