Figure 2.

Reduction of Cx43-GFP plaque size by coexpression of native Cx43 requires a majority of connexons be composed predominately of native Cx43. (A) Representative gel showing changes in expression levels of Cx43-GFP and native Cx43 in HeLa Cx43-GFP cells after infection with increasing Cx43 adenovirus MOI. Connexin stoichiometries (mean ± SE; n = 3) at each MOI were determined by measuring band intensities with a PhosphorImager. (B) Connexin stoichiometries presented as bulk expression levels of Cx43-GFP and native Cx43 relative to total connexin. (C) Representative sets of confocal images showing Cx43-GFP and native Cx43 codistribute in HeLa Cx43-GFP cells coexpressing Cx43 at viral MOI 10. Note the lack of Cx43 domains devoid of GFP fluorescence. Bar, 10 μm. (D) Distribution of connexon stoichiometries expected when native Cx43 is coexpressed in HeLa Cx43-GFP at levels necessary (MOI 5) and sufficient (MOI 10) to normalize GJ size and distribution.