Connexin23 deletion does not affect lens transparency

Exp Eye Res. 2016 May:146:283-288. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.03.025. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Abstract

While connexin46 (Cx46) and connexin50 (Cx50) are crucial for maintaining lens transparency and growth, the contributions of a more recently identified lens fiber connexin, Cx23, are poorly understood. Therefore, we studied the consequences of absence of Cx23 in mouse lenses. Cx23-null mice were generated by homologous Cre recombination. Cx23 mRNA was abundantly expressed in wild type lenses, but not in Cx23-null lenses. The transparency and refractive properties of Cx23-null lenses were similar to wild type lenses when examined by darkfield microscopy. Neither the focusing ability nor the light scattering was altered in the Cx23-null lenses. While both Cx46 and Cx50 localized to appositional fiber cell membranes (as in wild type lenses), their levels were consistently (but not significantly) decreased in homozygous Cx23-null lenses. These results suggest that although Cx23 expression can influence the abundance of the co-expressed lens fiber connexins, heterozygous or homozygous expression of a Cx23-null allele does not alter lens transparency.

Keywords: Cataract; Connexin; Gap junction; Knockout mouse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cataract / metabolism
  • Connexins / deficiency
  • Connexins / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lens, Crystalline / metabolism
  • Lens, Crystalline / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sequence Deletion

Substances

  • Connexins