Communication of Ca(2+) signals via tunneling membrane nanotubes is mediated by transmission of inositol trisphosphate through gap junctions.

ABSTRACT: Tunneling membrane nanotubes (TNTs) are thin membrane projections linking cell bodies separated by many micrometers, which are proposed to mediate signaling and even transfer of cytosolic contents between distant cells. Several reports describe propagation of Ca(2+) signals between distant cells via TNTs, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Utilizing a HeLa M-Sec cell line engineered to upregulate TNTs we replicated previous findings that mechanical stimulation elicits robust cytosolic Ca(2+) elevations that propagate to surrounding, physically separate cells. However, whereas this was previously interpreted to involve intercellular communication through TNTs, we found that Ca(2+) signal propagation was abolished - even in TNT-connected cells - after blocking ATP-mediat

SUBMITTER: Lock JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5035603 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature