| Abstract: | Mouse liver gap junctions have been isolated by using an anionic detergent, n-dodecanoyl sarcosine, in combination with non-ionic polyoxyethylene ethers (Brij 35 and Brij 58) and (W-1) detergents. Purified gap junctions are obtained in a sucrose step gradient containing 1-o-n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. This procedure is aimed at minimizing proteolysis. The junctions thus isolated have a hexagonal lattice of connexons with a lattice constant of 7.6-8.4 nm. Presence of a major Mr 26,000 gap junctional protein has been confirmed by SDS-PAGE. |
