Functional expression of gap junction gene Cx43 and the myogenic differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells express low levels of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43), and its mRNA, and display very weak gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) as detected by Cx43 immunofluorescence, slot-blot and dye-transfer methods. These cells grow rapidly and show aberrant and incomplete myogenic differentiation. To investigate the role of gap junctions in these cells, the expression of Cx43 with relation to cell growth and myogenic differentiation in RD single-cell subclones-RDL3 and RDL6 is studied. The subclone RDL3 grows slowly and displays better myogenic differentiation. The expression of Cx43, its mRNA and the GJIC in RDL3 is comparable to that in normal myoblasts. Another subclone RDL6 which grows rapidly, but is poorly differentiated, expresses very low levels of Cx43 and its mRNA, and very weak GJIC. By using the calcium phosphate precipitate transfection technique, a full-length cDNA-encoding Cx43 and a pSV2neo have been introduced into the RDL6 cells. Several stably