Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan-Jun Zong, Xiao-Zhou Liu, Lei Tu, Yu Sun
Summary: This review discusses the contribution of the connexin gene family to hearing loss, focusing on the GJB2, GJB6, and GJA1 genes. Mutations in these genes can lead to comprehensive or non-comprehensive genetic deafness in newborns. The precise regulation of connexin biosynthesis, structural composition, and degradation is crucial for proper functioning of gap junctions. This review provides insights into the etiological principles of connexin mutations and offers potential therapeutic strategies for hereditary deafness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Renju Pun, Michael H. H. Kim, Brian J. J. North
Summary: Intercellular communication in cardiomyocytes relies on Connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junction channels and hemichannels. The phosphorylation of Cx43 at Serine-368 (S368) by Protein Kinase C (PKC) isozymes affects the function and stability of Cx43, leading to altered intercellular communication. This review highlights the molecular and cellular mechanisms of PKC-mediated Cx43 phosphorylation and discusses its implications in various cardiac diseases, as well as the potential therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Laura Beth Payne, Bhanu P. Tewari, Logan Dunkenberger, Samantha Bond, Alyssa Savelli, Jordan Darden, Huaning Zhao, Caroline Willi, Ronak Kanodia, Rosalie Gude, Michael D. Powell, Kenneth J. Oestreich, Harald Sontheimer, Sophie Dal-Pra, John C. Chappell
Summary: This study found that a distinct lineage of pericytes emerges alongside vasculogenesis and directly communicates with nascent endothelial cells via Cx43. Loss of Cx43/Gja1 in pericyte progenitors can cause embryonic vessel dysmorphogenesis, but other connexin isoforms may compensate.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rui Dong, Yuqiang Han, Linhao Jiang, Shuai Liu, Fujun Zhang, Liangyu Peng, Zimo Wang, Zhengliang Ma, Tianjiao Xia, Xiaoping Gu
Summary: This study reveals a novel mechanism of the GJ-Cx43-mediated astrocytic network involved in isoflurane-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairments, which provides new mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of POCD and identifies potential targets for its treatment.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinhai Xiong, Wenjie Chen, Cheng Chen, Qi Wu, Chaopeng He
Summary: This article summarizes the important roles of Cx43 in disease development from the perspective of subcellular localization and provides new ideas for Cx43 as a therapeutic target and the search for related pathological mechanisms.
Article
Cell Biology
Seongcheol Kim, Nicholas Knesek Kubelka, Heather M. Laporte, Vignesh R. Krishnamoorthy, Meharvan Singh
Summary: Estrogens have been shown to protect neuronal function in the presence of oxidative stress, and this protection may be mediated by the glial cells, specifically astrocytes, through the protein connexin 43 (Cx43). This study found that estradiol (E2) and the estrogenic metabolite 3 beta-diol were protective against oxidative stress in astrocytes, and this protection was dependent on estrogen receptors. However, the hormones did not affect Cx43 mRNA levels but inhibited Cx43 channel permeability. Understanding the relationship between gonadal steroids and Cx43 channels may contribute to a better understanding of sex differences in various diseases.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Rodjakovic, Lilian Salm, Guido Beldi
Summary: Recent studies have shown that Connexin-43 plays important roles in macrophages, including migration, antigen-presentation, intercellular communication, electrochemical support, and immunomodulation. Dysregulation of Cx43 has been described in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, tumors, and HIV. However, its involvement in other macrophage functions and inflammatory processes requires further research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xinyu Wang, Chuan Jiang, Chunli Lu, Longbing Ma, Yuxin Feng, Shengyu Cui, Qian Li, Kang Li, Xiang Wang, Fengzeng Jian
Summary: In this study, changes in the number and morphology of ependymal cilia in a syringomyelia rat model were investigated. The results showed a decline in cilia during the early stage of the disease, leading to disrupted intercellular communication. In the later stage, cilia were further reduced due to shear stress exposure, causing a potential mechanism of ependymal cilia decline in syringomyelia development.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Birte Schulz, Valerie Schumacher, Anaclet Ngezahayo, Daniela Maier-Begandt, Nadine Schadzek, Jochen Wilhelm, Wolfgang Weidner, Adrian Pilatz, Daniela Fietz, Sabine Kliesch, Nadine Schnepel, Nina Hambruch, Kristina Rode, Marion Langeheine, Ralph Brehm
Summary: In this study, a cell culture model consisting of human FS1 Sertoli cells and human TCam-2 seminoma-like cells was used to investigate the role of junctional proteins in seminoma progression. The results showed that Cx43, Cx45, and N-cadherin were expressed in both cell lines at mRNA and/or protein level, confirming their representativeness for Sertoli and seminoma cells.
Article
Oncology
Ke Gong, Qingqi Hong, Huiwen Wu, Fen Wang, Linhai Zhong, Lingjia Shen, Piao Xu, Wenqing Zhang, Hanwei Cao, Yan-yan Zhan, Tianhui Hu, Xiaoting Hong
Summary: In vivo tumor growth is characterized by a necrotic core generated by oxygen and nutrients gradients, which can also be observed in in vitro three-dimensional tumor spheroids. Gap junctions play a critical role in cancer development, and this study found that the connexin 43 (Cx43) protein reduces the area of necrotic core in colon cancer 3D spheroids, promoting tumor growth advantage. This effect is dependent on gap junction channel functions, and the enhanced glucose uptake and altered signaling pathways contribute to the increased ATP content and oxygen consumption rate. The study also revealed a heterogeneous expression pattern of Cx43 in colon cancer compared to normal tissue, and higher levels of Cx43 are associated with worse clinical outcomes. These findings suggest a novel role of connexin in tumor growth and provide insights into the metabolic needs of solid tumors.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
F. A. Gomez-Torres, H. Y. Estupinan, A. Ruiz-Sauri
Summary: This study conducted a morphometric analysis of cardiac conduction cells in male horse and dog hearts, revealing significant differences in density and thickness between the two species. Additionally, the study found that the area and diameter of cardiac conduction cells were larger in horses than in dogs. Dogs also had a higher number of junctions compared to horses.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Selma Cetin-Ferra, Sharon C. Francis, Anthonya T. Cooper, Kit Neikirk, Andrea G. Marshall, Antentor Hinton Jr, Sandra A. A. Murray
Summary: Mitochondria contain connexins that form gap junction channels, playing a role in cell-cell communication. However, connexins in mitochondria have also been found to assemble into hemichannels and may be involved in regulating mitochondrial functions such as potassium fluxes and respiration. However, the presence and function of mitochondrial connexins are still poorly understood. Understanding the significance of mitochondrial connexins and their contact sites is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions in mitochondria-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Jean Defourny, Marc Thiry
Summary: Cx26 and Cx30 assemble into heteromeric gap junctions in the cochlea, facilitating K+ removal from sensory hair cells. A new study reveals tricellular adherens junctions play a critical role in connexin trafficking and membrane channel assembly.
Article
Cell Biology
Nicole M. Novielli-Kuntz, Eric R. Press, Kevin Barr, Marco A. M. Prado, Dale W. Laird
Summary: Studies on mice carrying the human disease-associated A88V Cx30 mutation revealed major morphological changes in the brain, particularly in aging mice. These changes had a more pronounced consequence for cognitive function in female mice, likely linked to the dysregulation of both Cx30 and Cx43 levels in the brain.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ji Xu, Bruce J. Nicholson
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of Cx30 hemichannels using heterologous expression systems. It was found that Cx30 hemichannels are sensitive to voltage and extracellular Ca2+ and show minimal selectivity for small ions but increased permeability for larger anions. Comparison with Cx26 gap junctions in the cochlea revealed differences in ATP permeability, indicating distinct physiological functions of Cx30 and Cx26 in energy distribution.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Noa Bachner-Hinenzon, Assaf Malka, Yaron Barac, David Meerkin, Offir Ertracht, Shemy Carasso, Rona Shofti, Marina Leitman, Zvi Vered, Dan Adam, Ofer Binah
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY-A JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ULTRASOUND AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES
(2016)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Assaf Malka, David Meerkin, Yaron D. Barac, Eytan Malits, Noa Bachner-Hinenzon, Shemy Carasso, Offir Ertracht, Itzchak Angel, Rona Shofti, Moussa Youdim, Zaid Abassi, Ofer Binah
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Cell Biology
Atara Novak, Lili Barad, Avraham Lorber, Mihaela Gherghiceanu, Irina Reiter, Binyamin Eisen, Liron Eldor, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Michael Eldar, Michael Arad, Ofer Binah
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2015)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lili Barad, Revital Schick, Naama Zeevi-Levin, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Ofer Binah
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yael Mandel, Amir Weissman, Revital Schick, Lili Barad, Atara Novak, Gideon Meiry, Stanislav Goldberg, Avraham Lorber, Michael R. Rosen, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Ofer Binah
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Medicinal
Naama Zeevi-Levin
FUTURE MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2013)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ofer Binah, Amir Weissman, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Michael R. Rosen
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Meital Ben-Ari, Revital Schick, Lili Barad, Atara Novak, Erez Ben-Ari, Avraham Lorber, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Michael R. Rosen, Amir Weissman, Ofer Binah
Article
Cell Biology
Atara Novak, Lili Barad, Naama Zeevi-Levin, Revital Shick, Ronit Shtrichman, Avraham Lorber, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Ofer Binah
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2012)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Amir Weissman, Ofer Binah
JOURNAL OF DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS
(2014)
Article
Physiology
Yee-Ki Lee, Philip Wing-Lok Ho, Revital Schick, Yee-Man Lau, Wing-Hon Lai, Ting Zhou, Yanhua Li, Kwong-Man Ng, Shu-Leung Ho, Miguel Angel Esteban, Ofer Binah, Hung-Fat Tse, Chung-Wah Siu
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2014)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Naama Zeevi-Levin, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Ofer Binah
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2012)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Offir Ertracht, Assaf Malka, Shaul Atar, Ofer Binah
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2014)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yaron D. Barac, Orit Bar-Am, Esti Liani, Tamar Amit, Luba Frolov, Elena Ovcharenko, Itzchak Angel, Moussa B. H. Youdim, Ofer Binah
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Weisbrod, Asher Peretz, Anna Ziskind, Nataly Menaker, Shimrit Oz, Lili Barad, Sivan Eliyahu, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Nathan Dascal, Daniel Khananshvili, Ofer Binah, Bernard Attali
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2013)