Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaria, Maria Gabriela Corrales-Hernandez, Maria Camila Ortiz-Vergara, Valeria Cormane-Alfaro, Ricardo-Miguel Luque-Bernal, Carlos-Alberto Calderon-Ospina, Juan-Fernando Cediel-Becerra
Summary: Cell-to-cell communication is crucial for embryonic development and dysfunction of connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) can lead to diseases. Cxs play a pivotal role in embryogenesis and have been linked to both congenital and adult neurodegenerative diseases. Panxs, despite being structurally similar to Cxs, predominantly form channels connecting the cytoplasm to the extracellular space. Both Cxs and Panxs are involved in various stages of neuronal development in the nervous system.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xin Cai, Chengbin Gao, Min Cao, Baofeng Su, Xiaoli Liu, Beibei Wang, Chao Li
Summary: This study identified 43 gap junction genes in turbot and found that these genes were clustered into six groups with same ancestors among turbot and other species. Additionally, the distribution of these GJ genes on different chromosomes and gene structure and domain analysis revealed highly conserved features.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svein-Ole Mikalsen, Sunnvor i Kongsstovu, Marni Tausen
Summary: Previous studies have shown that the connexin gene family has similar subfamily structures in several vertebrate groups. However, there is a lack of data between invertebrates and teleosts. The major evolutionary transformations in this gene family are from tunicates to cyclostomes and from cyclostomes to jawed vertebrates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biology
Yu-Han Guo, Yi-Qing Yang
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a global medical problem that contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. Gap junctions and their constituent proteins, connexins, play important roles in the pathogenesis of AF by disrupting the electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes through changes in connexin distribution and protein levels, increasing susceptibility to AF. Multiple pathogenic mutations or polymorphisms in connexins have been found to be associated with AF. Therefore, connexins may serve as important molecular targets for the treatment of AF.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiao-Dong Gong, Yan Wang, Xue-Bin Hu, Shu-Yu Zheng, Jia-Ling Fu, Qian Nie, Ling Wang, Min Hou, Jia-Wen Xiang, Yuan Xiao, Qian Gao, Yue-Yue Bai, Yi-Zhi Liu, David Wan-Cheng Li
Summary: The study reveals that significant loss of Cx46 and Cx50, along with upregulation of Cx43 in aged human lenses, may contribute to the aging process and cataract formation. Similar findings were observed in mouse lenses, suggesting that prolonged downregulation of Cx46 and Cx50 levels may accelerate cataractogenesis.
Article
Biology
Sebastian Curti, Federico Davoine, Antonella Dapino
Summary: In this article, the basic physical principles of electrical transmission between neurons and the plasticity of electrical synapses are reviewed. Circuits of electrically coupled neurons can perform sophisticated operations and can be modulated to alter circuit function.
Article
Biology
Jia Wang Chua, Moogaambikai Thangaveloo, Debbie Xiu En Lim, Leigh E. Madden, Anthony R. J. Phillips, David L. Becker
Summary: This study examined the dynamic expression of the gap junction protein Cx43 in an ischemic button model of surgical adhesions. The results suggest that targeting Cx43 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or reducing the severity of post-surgical peritoneal adhesions.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Enrique Gonzalez-Casanova, Samuel Duran-Aguero, Nelson Javier Caro-Fuentes, Maria Elena Gamboa-Arancibia, Tamara Bruna, Valmore Bermudez, Diana Marcela Rojas-Gomez
Summary: Connexin plays a key role in adipogenesis and maintenance of adipose tissue homeostasis through differentially regulated expression and function during adipogenesis stages. Phosphorylation and degradation of Connexin 43 impact cell-cell communication and adipocyte differentiation.Obesity and high-fat diet are associated with remodeling factors related to Connexin 43 expression and distribution in the atrium.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Lisa Geis, Franz-Fabian Boudriot, Charlotte Wagner
Summary: The kidney expresses eight different connexin isoforms that play important roles in intercellular communication and functional synchronization. Using fluorescent RNAscope technique, the study accurately localized the expression of connexin mRNAs in healthy mouse kidneys. The results showed unique expression patterns of connexins in different cell types of the kidney, confirming previous data and highlighting their significance in renal function.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Viviana P. Orellana, Andres Tittarelli, Mauricio A. Retamal
Summary: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that is refractory to chemotherapy in advanced stages, making it important to understand the molecular basis of its aggressiveness. Connexins (Cxs) play important roles in cancer progression and metastasis, with Cx26 and Cx43 being key players in melanoma progression, while Cx46, typically expressed in the eye lens, has been associated with cancer stem cell properties and extracellular vesicle release in breast and brain cancers in recent years. The potential role of Cx46 as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma is analyzed in this review.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Mingming Zhou, Minying Zheng, Xinyue Zhou, Shifeng Tian, Xiaohui Yang, Yidi Ning, Yuwei Li, Shiwu Zhang
Summary: Gap junctions (GJs), composed of connexins (Cxs), provide channels for direct information exchange between cells. The expression and function of Cxs, as well as the number and function of GJs, are dynamic and can be influenced by various factors. Recent studies have revealed the critical roles of Cxs and GJs in cancer pathogenesis, but the complex mechanism underlying their involvement in cancer development remains a major obstacle.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
David Mazaud, Anna Capano, Nathalie Rouach
Summary: Astrocytes play a major role in the brain by contributing to functions such as energy supply, neurotransmission, and behavior. They achieve this through forming intercellular networks, releasing neuroactive factors, and using connexins to modulate neurotransmission at various levels. Astroglial connexins regulate neuronal activity and behavior through diverse functions, including gap junction channels, hemichannels, and nonchannel processes.
Article
Fisheries
Yiping Liu, Min Cao, Xu Yan, Xin Cai, Yuqing Li, Chao Li, Ting Xue
Summary: Cell-to-cell communication through gap junction channels is essential for coordinating cellular functions in multicellular tissues. This study identified 48 members of the gap junction protein family in Sebastes schlegelii, classifying them into connexin and pannexin types. The connexins were further divided into five subfamilies. The study also revealed the protein structure and interactions of GJs, and showed that GJ proteins were highly expressed in intestinal tissues and regulated after bacterial infection. The findings provide valuable insights for further understanding the function of GJ proteins in S. schlegelii.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christoph Koepple, Zizi Zhou, Lena Huber, Matthias Schulte, Kjestine Schmidt, Torsten Gloe, Ulrich Kneser, Volker Juergen Schmidt, Cor de Wit
Summary: Cx43 protein positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells by regulating gene expression, cell migration, and growth independently of GJ communication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zizi Zhou, Wenxiang Chai, Yi Liu, Meng Zhou, Xiaoming Zhang
Summary: Connexins (Cxs) have crucial roles in cellular communication, affecting cell homeostasis, proliferation, and differentiation. The activity and expression of Cxs are linked to various clinical conditions, including carcinomas, cardiac disorders, and wound healing. Recent discoveries on the association between Cxs and angiogenesis have sparked interest in Cx-mediated angiogenesis due to its vital functions in tissue formation, wound repair, tumor growth, and metastasis. Understanding this association may lead to the development of targeted therapies for angiogenic diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Giriraj Sahu, Hadhimulya Asmara, Fang-Xiong Zhang, Gerald W. Zamponi, Ray W. Turner
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Mohona Mukhopadhyay, Anurag Singh, S. Sachchidanand, Amal Kanti Bera
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Debanjan Tewari, Dhriti Majumdar, Sirisha Vallabhaneni, Amal Kanti Bera
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Biophysics
Sk Abdul Mohid, Arup Ghorai, Humaira Ilyas, Kamal H. Mroue, Gomathy Narayanan, Abhisek Sarkar, Samit K. Ray, Kaushik Biswas, Amal Kanti Bera, Martin Malmsten, Anupam Midya, Anirban Bhunia
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2019)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James Higham, Giriraj Sahu, Rima-Marie Wazen, Pina Colarusso, Alice Gregorie, Bartholomew S. J. Harvey, Lucy Goudswaard, Gemma Varley, David N. Sheppard, Ray W. Turner, Neil Marrion
MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Giriraj Sahu, Rima-Marie Wazen, Pina Colarusso, S. R. Wayne Chen, Gerald W. Zamponi, Ray W. Turner
Review
Plant Sciences
Mehjabeen Naushad, Siva Sundara Kumar Durairajan, Amal Kanti Bera, Sanjib Senapati, Min Li
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoqin Zhan, Hadhimulya Asmara, Ning Cheng, Giriraj Sahu, Eduardo Sanchez, Fang-Xiong Zhang, Gerald W. Zamponi, Jong M. Rho, Ray W. Turner
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohona Mukhopadhyay, Amal Kanti Bera
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rutambhara Purohit, Amal Kanti Bera
Summary: Panx1 protein plays a crucial role in cell activities, and mutations can affect channel function. The R217H mutation reduces channel currents and impacts cell death processes, but does not affect when CT is completely removed.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Poonam Yadav, Priyanshu Sharma, Sandhya Sundaram, Ganesh Venkatraman, Amal Kanti Bera, Devarajan Karunagaran
Summary: miR-5096 induces ferroptotic cell death in breast cancer cells by targeting and downregulating SLC7A11, reducing ROS, lipid peroxides, and iron accumulation levels, as well as decreasing GSH levels and mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibiting cell survival, migration, and invasion.
Article
Cell Biology
Rutambhara Purohit, Amal Kanti Bera
Summary: The study investigated the effect of Panx1 on P2X7R-mediated Ca2+ influx, and found that Panx1 attenuated the rise in Ca2+ concentration mediated by P2X7R, while also preventing cell death caused by P2X7R overactivation.
Article
Neurosciences
Boris Shalomov, Reem Handklo-Jamal, Haritha P. Reddy, Neta Theodor, Amal K. Bera, Nathan Dascal
Summary: GIRK4 channel mutants have different effects on K+ selectivity and inward rectification, and some mutants also lead to depolarization of zona glomerulosa cells and high aldosterone secretion.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Giriraj Sahu, Ray W. Turner
Summary: Neuronal signal transmission is influenced by the frequency, pattern, and timing of spike output, all of which are controlled by spike afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs). Different types of AHPs, including fast, medium, and slow AHPs, have been found to be shaped by various potassium channels, with recent discoveries revealing the involvement of a calcium-gated intermediate conductance potassium channel in the slow AHP process.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katarzyna M. Grochowska, PingAn Yuanxiang, Julia Baer, Rajeev Raman, Gemma Brugal, Giriraj Sahu, Michaela Schweizer, Arthur Bikbaev, Stephan Schilling, Hans-Ulrich Demuth, Michael R. Kreutz
