Voltage dependence of junctional conductance in early amphibian embryos

Science. 1979 Apr 27;204(4391):432-4. doi: 10.1126/science.312530.

Abstract

Isolated pairs of blastomeres from early amphibian embryos (Ambystoma, Rana, Xenopus) are electrontonically coupled. Junctional conductance and permeability to the dye Lucifer Yellow are markeldy and reversibly decreased by moderate transjunctional polarization in either direction. The relationship between junctional conductance and transjunctional voltage is sufficiently steep that a physiological role in regulation of intercellular communication is plausible.

MeSH terms

  • Ambystoma / embryology
  • Amphibians / embryology*
  • Amphibians / physiology
  • Animals
  • Anura
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Chick Embryo
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Intercellular Junctions / physiology
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Rana pipiens / embryology
  • Xenopus / embryology