Intercellular organelle transfer has been documented in several cell types and has been proposed to be important for cell‐cell communication and cellular repair. However, the mechanisms by which organelle transfer occurs are uncertain. Recent studies indicate that the gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43), is required for mitochondrial transfer but its specific role is unknown. Using three‐dimensional electron microscopy and immunogold labeling of Cx43, this report shows that whole organelles including mitochondria and endosomes are incorporated into double‐membrane vesicles, called connexosomes or annular gap junctions, that form as a result of gap junction internalization. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for intercellular organelle transfer mediated by Cx43 gap junctions.

中文翻译：

---

间隙连接内在化作用使线粒体和内体在细胞之间转移

细胞间细胞器转移已经在几种细胞类型中得到了证明，并且被认为对于细胞间的通讯和细胞修复很重要。然而，细胞器转移发生的机制尚不确定。最近的研究表明，间隙连接蛋白，连接蛋白43（Cx43），是线粒体转移所必需的，但其具体作用尚不清楚。该报告使用三维电子显微镜和Cx43的免疫金标记，显示包括线粒体和内体的整个细胞器被整合到双膜囊泡（称为连接体或环形间隙连接）中，这是由于间隙连接内部化而形成的。这些发现证明了由Cx43间隙连接介导的细胞间细胞器转移的新机制。