Journal
TRAFFIC
Volume 22, Issue 6, Pages 174-179Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/tra.12786
Keywords
gap junction; internalization; mitochondria; organelle transfer
Categories
Funding
- Fund for Science
- Connecticut Science Fund
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New research has uncovered a novel mechanism for intercellular organelle transfer mediated by Cx43 gap junctions, in which whole organelles including mitochondria and endosomes are incorporated into double-membrane vesicles.
Intercellular organelle transfer has been documented in several cell types and has been proposed to be important for cell-cell communication and cellular repair. However, the mechanisms by which organelle transfer occurs are uncertain. Recent studies indicate that the gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43), is required for mitochondrial transfer but its specific role is unknown. Using three-dimensional electron microscopy and immunogold labeling of Cx43, this report shows that whole organelles including mitochondria and endosomes are incorporated into double-membrane vesicles, called connexosomes or annular gap junctions, that form as a result of gap junction internalization. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for intercellular organelle transfer mediated by Cx43 gap junctions.
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