Cholesterol Distribution in Gap Junctions of Chicken Lens
Author Information
Author(s): Biswas Sondip K., Lo Woo-Kuen
Primary Institution: Morehouse School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study investigates how cholesterol distribution in gap junctions changes during fiber cell differentiation in the embryonic chicken lens.
Conclusion
Cholesterol-rich gap junctions in the outer young fibers transform into cholesterol-free ones in the inner mature fibers during fiber cell maturation.
Supporting Evidence
- Approximately 86% of gap junctions in the outer cortical zone were cholesterol-rich.
- Approximately 81% of gap junctions in the inner cortical zone were cholesterol-free.
- A distinct endocytotic process appears to be involved in removing cholesterol from gap junction plaques.
Takeaway
This study looks at how cholesterol levels in the connections between lens cells change as the cells grow up, showing that young cells have more cholesterol than older ones.
Methodology
Filipin cytochemistry and freeze-fracture TEM were used to analyze cholesterol distribution in gap junctions from chicken embryonic lenses.
Limitations
The study does not quantify the absolute number of cholesterol molecules in gap junctions.
Participant Demographics
Embryonic chicken lenses from E12-E20 were used.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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