Abstract.
Recent evidence suggests that the formation and permeability of tight junctions are actively regulated by second-messenger-generating systems involving G proteins and protein kinase C (PKC). A possible specific target for these regulatory proteins is the tight junction protein ZO-1. An extensive immunocytochemical study was performed in cultured epithelial monolayers of MDCK and Caco-2 cells to identify which isoforms of G proteins and PKC are present at or near the zonula occludens complex. Antibodies against α-subunits of each one of the four major subfamilies were used for the localization of the G proteins. For the PKC localization, antibodies against eight different isoforms were used. In confluent monolayers, Gα12 and PKC ζ, were the only isoforms of these proteins present at the cell borders. In subconfluent monolayers, Gα12 and PKC ζ were found at the plasma membrane only along the areas of lateral cell-cell contact. These isoforms formed a pattern of distribution very similar to the ZO-1 protein. The present findings indicate that Gα12 and PKC ζ may be part of the zonula occludens complex and may locally regulate formation and permeability of tight junctions.
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Received: 29 July 1995/Revised: 13 October 1995
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Dodane, V., Kachar, B. Identification of Isoforms of G Proteins and PKC that Colocalize with Tight Junctions. J. Membrane Biol. 149, 199–209 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002329900020
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002329900020