Enhancement of connexin30.3 expression in mouse embryonic stem cell line EB3 in response to cell–cell contacts

To clarify the potential role of gap junction in cell–cell contact response, the expression of connexin30.3 gene ( Cx30.3 ), a specifically expressed isoform in undifferentiated state of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line EB3 was investigated under different cell–cell contact conditions. ES cells were cultured by hanging drop culture method to increase cell–cell contact frequency. As control, a single cell culture was conducted. After culture for 12 h, the Cx30.3 expression level in hanging drop culture reached 1.73-fold that of the control ( p