Connexin expression in mouse lung tumor

Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is considered to play roles in regulation of homeostasis, development and differentiation of many tissues. In the present study, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ RT-PCR, we examined expression of Connexins (Cx26, 32, 37, 40, 43 and 45) in the normal lung and lung tumors of mice to determine whether their expressions change during lung tumorigenesis. Cx26, 32 and 40 were expressed similarly in the normal lung tissue and tumors with smaller size (0.5–1.5 mm) though expression of Cx32 and 40 decreased in tumors with larger size (>2.5 mm). Cx26 was undetectable in larger size tumors. Cx37 and 45 were expressed in both normal lung and larger size tumors but no expression was seen in smaller size tumors. Cx43 was similarly detectable in normal lung, smaller size tumor and larger size tumor, but western blotting showed that Cx43 was phosphorylated during lung tumorigenesis. Thus, it is likely that alteration of expression of these Cx may be involved in expression of the neoplastic phenotype.