RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Functional Properties of Channels Formed by the Neuronal Gap Junction Protein Connexin36 JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 9848 OP 9855 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.19-22-09848.1999 VO 19 IS 22 A1 Srinivas, Midituru A1 Rozental, Renato A1 Kojima, Takashi A1 Dermietzel, Rolf A1 Mehler, Mark A1 Condorelli, Daniele F. A1 Kessler, John A. A1 Spray, David C. YR 1999 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/19/22/9848.abstract AB The expression and functional properties of connexin36 (Cx36) were examined in two communication-deficient cell lines (N2A-neuroblastoma and PC-12 cells) transfected with Cx36 and in hippocampal neurons that express the connexin endogenously. Transfected cells expressed the expected 2.9 kb Cx36 transcript and Cx36 immunoreactivity, whereas nontransfected cells were devoid of Cx36. The relationship between steady-state junctional conductance (gj) and transjunctional voltage was well described by a two-state Boltzmann equation. The half-inactivation voltage (V0), the ratio of minimal to maximal gj(gmin/gmax), and the equivalent gating charge were ± 75 mV, 0.55, and 1.75, respectively, indicating that Cx36 exhibits very low voltage sensitivity. Conductance of single Cx36 channels measured with patch pipettes containing 130 mm CsCl was 10–15 pS (n = 15 cell pairs); despite this low unitary conductance, Cx36 channels were permeable to the dye Lucifer yellow. Hippocampal neurons expressed Cx36 both in vivo and in culture. The electrophysiological properties of channels in cultured hippocampal neurons were similar to those of the channels expressed by the transfected cell lines, and the neuronal channels were similarly permeable to Lucifer yellow. The unique combination of weak voltage sensitivity, small unitary conductance, and permeation by anions as large as second messenger molecules endows Cx36 gap junction channels with properties well suited for mediating flexible electrical and biochemical interactions between neurons.