GJA1-20k Arranges Actin to Guide Cx43 Delivery to Cardiac Intercalated Discs

摘要

Rationale: Delivery of Cx43 (connexin 43) to the intercalated disc is a continuous and rapid process critical for intercellular coupling. By a pathway of targeted delivery involving microtubule highways, vesicles of Cx43 hemichannels are efficiently trafficked to adherens junctions at intercalated discs. It has also been identified that actin provides rest stops for Cx43 forward trafficking and that Cx43 has a 20 kDa internally translated small C terminus isoform, GJA1-20k (Gap Junction Protein Alpha 1-20 kDa), which is required for full-length Cx43 trafficking, but by an unknown mechanism.