Abstract
Connexins are a family of gap junction proteins widely distributed in human organs and tissues. Gap junctions are organized systems of intercellular protein channels that allow the exchange of ions, chemical signals, and energy substrates between two adjacent cells. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundant isoform of connexins in the heart which play an important role in myocardium disease. Numerous studies have shown that Cx43 was involved in tumor migration and invasion by mediating gap junctions between tumor cells and normal cells. Changes in the expression and distribution of Cx43 contribute to heart disease and cancer. This review discusses current knowledge on the functional and structural abnormalities in Cx43 associated with heart disease and cancer, aiming to highlight the importance of this connexin as an emerging therapeutic target. Here, the current knowledge on the pharmacology of Gap Junction Channels and Hemichannels were also summarized. Finally, we propose that these knowledges can be exploited to identify new diagnostic and effective therapeutic approaches for ischemic heart disease and cancer.
Keywords: Connexin43, cancer, heart, ischemic, molecular imaging, myocardium disease.
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title:Current Concepts and Perspectives on Connexin43: A Mini Review
Volume: 19 Issue: 11
Author(s): Qingwei Zhang, Xiao Bai, Yang Liu, Kai Wang, Baozhong Shen*Xilin Sun*
Affiliation:
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang,China
- Molecular Imaging Research Center, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang,China
Keywords: Connexin43, cancer, heart, ischemic, molecular imaging, myocardium disease.
Abstract: Connexins are a family of gap junction proteins widely distributed in human organs and tissues. Gap junctions are organized systems of intercellular protein channels that allow the exchange of ions, chemical signals, and energy substrates between two adjacent cells. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundant isoform of connexins in the heart which play an important role in myocardium disease. Numerous studies have shown that Cx43 was involved in tumor migration and invasion by mediating gap junctions between tumor cells and normal cells. Changes in the expression and distribution of Cx43 contribute to heart disease and cancer. This review discusses current knowledge on the functional and structural abnormalities in Cx43 associated with heart disease and cancer, aiming to highlight the importance of this connexin as an emerging therapeutic target. Here, the current knowledge on the pharmacology of Gap Junction Channels and Hemichannels were also summarized. Finally, we propose that these knowledges can be exploited to identify new diagnostic and effective therapeutic approaches for ischemic heart disease and cancer.
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Cite this article as:
Zhang Qingwei , Bai Xiao , Liu Yang , Wang Kai , Shen Baozhong *, Sun Xilin *, Current Concepts and Perspectives on Connexin43: A Mini Review, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2018; 19 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666180709103515
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666180709103515 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
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