Non-canonical roles of connexins

Author(s):Show less -

Van Campenhout, Raf ^[1] ; Cooreman, Axelle ^[1] ; Leroy, Kaat ^[1] ; Rusiecka, Olga M. ^[2] ; Van Brantegem, Pieter ^[3] ; Annaert, Pieter ^[3] ; Muyldermans, Serge ^[4] ; Devoogdt, Nick ^[5] ; Cogliati, Bruno ^[6] ; Kwak, Brenda R. ^[2] ; Vinken, Mathieu ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Vrije Univ Brussel, Dept In Vitro Toxicol & Dermatocosmetol, Brussels - Belgium

^[2] Univ Geneva, Dept Pathol & Immunol, Geneva - Switzerland

^[3] Katholieke Univ Leuven, Dept Pharmaceut & Pharmacol Sci, Leuven - Belgium

^[4] Vrije Univ Brussel, Lab Cellular & Mol Immunol, Brussels - Belgium

^[5] Vrije Univ Brussel, In Vitro Cellular & Mol Imaging Lab, Brussels - Belgium

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; v. 153, p. 35-41, JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Gap junctions mediate cellular communication and homeostasis by controlling the intercellular exchange of small and hydrophilic molecules and ions. Gap junction channels are formed by the docking of 2 hemichannels of adjacent cells, which in turn are composed of 6 connexin subunits. Connexin proteins as such can also control the cellular life cycle independent of their channel activities. This has been most demonstrated in the context of cell growth and cell death. Different mechanisms are involved mainly related to direct interaction with cell growth or cell death regulators, but also implying effects on the expression of cell growth and cell death regulators. The present paper focuses on these atypical roles of connexin proteins. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/10953-9 - Are connexins, pannexins and their (hemi)channels novel biomarkers and pharmacological targets in the prognosis and therapy of liver cancer?
• Grantee: Bruno Cogliati
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants