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.
Export Options
About this article
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 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Artificial Intelligence for Protein Research
Protein research, essential for understanding biological processes and creating therapeutics, faces challenges due to the intricate nature of protein structures and functions. Traditional methods are limited in exploring the vast protein sequence space efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions by improving predictions and speeding up ...read more
Nutrition and Metabolism in Musculoskeletal Diseases
The musculoskeletal system consists mainly of cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Balanced metabolism is of vital importance for the homeostasis of the musculoskeletal system. A series of musculoskeletal diseases (for example, sarcopenia, osteoporosis) are resulted from the dysregulated metabolism of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, metabolic diseases (such ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Editorial from Guest Editors [Hot Topic: Viral Bronchiolitis: The Year in Review (Guest Editors: Louis Bont and Jan Kimpen)]
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery: Established and Emerging Strategies of Prevention
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Bivalirudin or Heparin Treatment During Transcatheter Valve Interventions: Where are we Now?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Solution NMR Study of the Transmembrane Domain of Single-Span Membrane Proteins: Opportunities and Strategies
Current Protein & Peptide Science Novel Antidepressant Drugs, Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Obesity and Inflammation and Altered Clopidogrel Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Drug Metabolism Letters The Nutrigenetics and Pharmacogenetics of Vitamin D Pathways
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Angiogenesis as a Therapeutic Target in Arthritis: Lessons from Oncology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Stroke Prevention (Guest Editors: T. Tatlisumak, K. Rantanen and M. Fisher)]
Current Drug Targets Gender Disparity in Pediatric Diseases
Current Molecular Medicine Gene-Nutrient Interaction in Type 2 Diabetes: An Appraisal of the Role of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Pathway
Current Pharmacogenomics Omentin: Linking Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology S100A1: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential
Current Chemical Biology Mechanical Design and Control Method for SEA and VSA-based Exoskeleton Devices for Elbow Joint Rehabilitation
Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Vitamin D Intervention Trials in Critical Illness
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Natriuretic Peptides in Heart Failure and Post-Myocardial Infarction
Current Hypertension Reviews Stem Cell Implantation for Myocardial Disorders
Current Drug Delivery Microparticles in Health and Disease: Small Mediators, Large Role?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Hyperhomocysteinemia in Movement Disorders: Current Evidence and Hypotheses
Current Vascular Pharmacology