Logo image
Pannexin-2 is expressed in the human colon with extensive localization in the enteric nervous system
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Pannexin-2 is expressed in the human colon with extensive localization in the enteric nervous system

E F Diezmos, Shaun L Sandow, D S Perera, D W King, P P Bertrand and Lu Liu
Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Vol.27(5), pp.672-683
2015
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12541View
Published Version

Abstract

enteric nervous system human colon pannexin-2 ulcerative colitis
Background: Pannexin-2 (Panx2) is a member of the novel group of membrane spanning protein channels present in the central nervous system. Limited studies have examined Panx2 in the intestine, where it may have important physiological roles. The present study characterized Panx2 expression and localization in the human colon in health and disease states. Methods: Immunofluorescence determined Panx2 localization and co-localization, and quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot determined gene and protein expression in ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and control human colon. Key Results: Panx2 was widely expressed in myenteric and submucosal ganglia, particularly in the cytoplasm of neurons. Panx2 was also expressed on smooth muscle of the muscularis and blood vessels, some non-lymphoid leukocytes, mast cells, and mucosal epithelial cells. Co-localization of Panx2 occurred with β-tubulin, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, substance P, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and calcitonin gene-related peptide, indicating widespread Panx2 expression in extrinsic and intrinsic neurons. Molecular studies revealed a 3.4-fold higher level of Panx2 mRNA in ascending compared to sigmoid muscularis (p < 0.05), despite similar protein levels. Similarly, UC muscularis showed a 35-fold up-regulation in Panx2 mRNA, but not in protein (p < 0.05). Conclusions & Inferences: Here, we demonstrated the dense expression of Panx2 in the enteric nervous system and the co-localization of Panx2 with a spectrum of neuronal markers, indicating that Panx2 may be involved in mediating neurotransmission in the colon. The substantial increase in Panx2 mRNA in UC muscle but not protein suggests that the Panx2 translation process may be disrupted in UC.

Details

Metrics

12 File views/ downloads
667 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Neurosciences

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Logo image