Fig. 1

Distribution, levels and contribution of lens connexins to gap junction coupling. a. Diagram showing the distribution of connexin subtypes in the different regions of the lens. b. Diagram showing the relative amounts of Cx43, Cx46 and Cx50 in the different lens regions of the adult mouse lens. The relative values of Cx43 and Cx50 in the epithelium are based on the quinine-sensitive component of intercellular communication between mouse lens epithelial cells [111]. The relative values of Cx46 and Cx50 in mature fibers are based on analysis of the membrane proteome of the mouse lens fiber cell [13]. The relative amounts on differentiating fibers cells have been drawn partially based on the up-regulation of Cx46 and downregulation of Cx43 expressions between epithelial and mature fiber cells, and the increase in Cx50 between epithelial and fiber cells as detected by immunofluorescence. c. Diagram showing the relative contributions of the different connexin subtypes to gap junction intercellular coupling in cells from the different regions of the adult mouse lens. The curves summarize the data from knockout and knock-in mouse experiments [111–114]. The lens regions have been labeled E, epithelium; DF, differentiating fibers; MF, mature fibers. It is interesting to note that the contribution of Cx46 and Cx50 to gap junction coupling in fiber cells does not correlate with their protein levels