Figure 6.

A conceptual model for the loss of BS structures between WT and Cx50 KO lenses. A BS is a specialized interlocking membrane domain that several proteins partition to in WT mice. Connexin C-terminals interact with unknown PDZ-domain–containing proteins (PDZ?) and their downstream binding partners. An extracellular binding partner for dystroglycan in the lens has yet to be identified. In Cx50 KO (ΔGja8) lenses, BS are lost, Cx46-containing plaques are smaller in size, and at least a portion of the BS-associating proteins, ZO-1 and βDys, end up in fiber nuclei. Cytosolic, downstream partners for βDys and ZO-1 are also unknown. Ball-and-socket structure and gap junctions and proteins not drawn to scale.