FIGURE 6.

Overview of connexin-43 and actin cytoskeleton in myozap-deficient mice or rat cardiomyocytes. Expression and localization of connexin-43 and filamentous actin and sarcomere were studied by immunoimaging with respective antibodies and phalloidin (for filamentous actin) in mouse heart cryosections (n = 5, A and B), neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (C), or neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes isolated from wild-type or Mzp^−/− mice (D). Images clearly indicate visible differences between both genotypes after TAC with respect to the localization of connexin-43, altered sarcomere, and actin cytoskeleton. Experiments for cultured NRVCMs or NMVCMs were repeated three times in triplicate.