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
Physiology
Mauricio A. Retamal, Guillermo A. Altenberg
Summary: Connexins are proteins that can form hemichannels and gap junction channels. In the lens, connexins play important roles in metabolic cooperation between cells and their modulation is involved in cataract formation. This review focuses on the functions of Cx46 hemichannels and gap junction channels and their posttranslational modifications.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
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.
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
Biochemical Research Methods
Lee S. Cantrell, Romell B. Gletten, Kevin L. Schey
Summary: The eye lens is responsible for focusing and transmitting light to the retina. Oxidative stress is hypothesized to contribute to age-related nuclear cataract formation, while a microcirculation system is hypothesized to maintain lens transparency. Data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry was used to analyze protein fractions of human lenses, revealing age-related changes and the presence of antioxidant transporter proteins not previously detected.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Benny Yue, Bassam G. Haddad, Umair Khan, Honghong Chen, Mena Atalla, Ze Zhang, Daniel M. Zuckerman, Steve L. Reichow, Donglin Bai
Summary: This study investigates the structural characteristics of connexins Cx46 and Cx50 and their roles in the GJ channel mechanisms and cataract-linked connexin variants. The results suggest that interactions between hydrophobic and charged residues within the amino-terminal (NT) domain play a crucial role in defining GJ open state stability and single channel conductance.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuting Li, Zhen Li, Yumeng Quan, Hongyun Cheng, Manuel A. Riquelme, Xiao-Dong Li, Sumin Gu, Jean X. Jiang
Summary: The study provides evidence for the involvement of macrophages in repairing lens capsule rupture, with CSF-1 accelerating the repair process and inhibition of the CSF-1 receptor delaying repair. This suggests that M2 macrophages activated by CSF-1 play a crucial role in mediating capsule rupture repair and fibrosis development.
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.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kajetan Kielbowski, Estera Bakinowska, Andrzej Pawlik
Summary: Connexins are involved in intercellular communication through hemichannels and gap junctions, playing a crucial role in regulating cell homeostasis, proliferation, and differentiation. Changes in Cx distribution, degradation, and post-translational modifications have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Depending on the isoform, Cx can either promote or suppress the development of atherosclerosis by affecting endothelial dysfunction, monocyte recruitment, vascular smooth muscle cell activation, or autophagy inhibition. Inhibition or modulation of specific Cx isoforms could potentially serve as therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuefang Zhou, Thomas M. Bennett, Thomas W. White, Alan Shiels
Summary: CHMP4B is a core sub-unit of the ESCRT-III machinery involved in remodeling and scission processes of biological membranes. It has been found to associate with connexin 46 (Cx46) and connexin 50 (Cx50), and its membrane localization is dependent on Cx50 in lens fiber cells.
Review
Cell Biology
Zhen Li, Yumeng Quan, Sumin Gu, Jean X. Jiang
Summary: The lens has an internal microcirculatory system that promotes nutrient circulation and waste excretion through channels of aquaporins and connexins. Mutations in these channels can lead to abnormal function and cataract formation. Recent studies have shown that aquaporin and connexin not only have channel functions, but also play a crucial role in lens development and transparency through channel-independent actions. This review focuses on the cell adhesion mediated by aquaporin and connexin and its significance in lens development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Aixia Jin, Qingqing Zhao, Shuting Liu, Zi-bing Jin, Shuyan Li, Mengqing Xiang, Mingbing Zeng, Kangxin Jin
Summary: A new mutation in GJA8 causing congenital cataract was identified and its functional impact was revealed. This finding expands the pathogenic mutation spectrum of Cx50 underlying cataract, providing more support for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL 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)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
C. Rubinos, D. A. Godoy
MEDICINA INTENSIVA
(2020)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Ayham Alkhachroum, Andrey Eliseyev, Caroline A. Der-Nigoghossian, Clio Rubinos, Julie Anne Kromm, Elizabeth Mathews, Andrew Bauerschmidt, Kevin Doyle, Angela Velasquez, Jennifer A. Egbebike, Anna R. Calderon, David J. Roh, Soojin Park, Sachin Agarwal, Edward Sander Connolly, Jan Claassen
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Ayham Alkhachroum, Caroline A. Der-Nigoghossian, Clio Rubinos, Jan Claassen
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Alexis N. Simpkins, Katharina M. Busl, Edilberto Amorim, Carolina Barnett-Tapia, Mackenzie C. Cervenka, Monica B. Dhakar, Mark R. Etherton, Celia Fung, Robert Griggs, Robert G. Holloway, Adam G. Kelly, Imad R. Khan, Karlo J. Lizarraga, Hannah G. Madagan, Chidinma L. Onweni, Humberto Mestre, Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Clio Rubinos, Dawling A. Dionisio-Santos, Teddy S. Youn, Lisa H. Merck, Carolina B. Maciel
NEUROCRITICAL CARE
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ayham Alkhachroum, Caroline A. Der-Nigoghossian, Elizabeth Mathews, Nina Massad, Riva Letchinger, Kevin Doyle, Wei-Ting Chiu, Julie Kromm, Clio Rubinos, Angela Velazquez, David Roh, Sachin Agarwal, Soojin Park, E. Sander Connolly, Jan Claassen
Article
Neurosciences
Abdoreza Ghoreishi, Shahram Arsang-Jang, Ziad Sabaa-Ayoun, Nawaf Yassi, P. N. Sylaja, Yama Akbari, Afshin A. Divani, Jose Biller, Thanh Phan, Sandy Steinwender, Brian Silver, Ramin Zand, Hamidon Bin Basri, Omer M. Iqbal, Annemarei Ranta, Sean Ruland, Elizabeth Macri, Henry Ma, Thanh N. Nguyen, Shahram Abootalebi, Animesh Gupta, Matias Alet, Simona Lattanzi, Masoom Desai, Rubens J. Gagliardi, Tarun Girotra, Manabu Inoue, Takeshi Yoshimoto, Cristian Flavo Isaac, Stephan A. Mayer, Negar Morovatdar, Yongchai Nilanont, Christa O'Hana S. Nobleza, Hamidreza Saber, Saltanat Kamenova, Aida Kondybayeva, Jerzy Krupinski, James E. Siegler, Saverio Stranges, Michel T. Torbey, Diana Yorio, Maria Cristina Zurru, Clio Aracelli Rubinos, Reza Bavarsad Shahripour, Afshin Borhani-Haghighi, Mario Di Napoli, M. Reza Azarpazhooh
JOURNAL OF STROKE & CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2020)
Letter
Hematology
Matthew C. Foster, Barbara Savoldo, Winnie Lau, Clio Rubinos, Natalie Grover, Paul Armistead, James Coghill, Robert S. Hagan, Kaitlin Morrison, Faith Brianne Buchanan, Catherine Cheng, Spencer Laing, Anastasia Ivanova, John West, Aaron Foster, Jonathan Serody, Gianpietro Dotti
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sasan Andalib, Jose Biller, Mario Di Napoli, Narges Moghimi, Louise D. McCullough, Clio A. Rubinos, Christa O'Hana Nobleza, M. Reza Azarpazhooh, Luciana Catanese, Isabel Elicer, Mostafa Jafari, Fabrizio Liberati, Claudia Camejo, Michel Torbey, Afshin A. Divani
Summary: This review discusses the peripheral nervous system manifestations associated with COVID-19, including nerve pain, muscle injury, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and other disorders. COVID-19 not only affects the central nervous system but also involves the PNS, potentially due to immune system dysregulation.
CURRENT NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sarah Elizabeth B. Davis, Kelly A. Dehne, Clio A. Rubinos, Winnie K. Lau, Kalynn A. Northam
Summary: Clinicians face challenges when using andexanet alfa for emergent reversal of rivaroxaban or apixaban, especially when the timing of the last dose is unknown or patients are outside the recommended timeframe for use.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Clio Rubinos, Brandon Waters, Lawrence J. Hirsch
Summary: This narrative review discusses the literature on early post-traumatic seizures (PTS) and post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), focusing on current biomarkers. It presents current management strategies and society guidelines for PTS, and suggests potential targets for further investigation to identify high-risk PTE patients and prevent PTE. Recent findings demonstrate that intracranial hemorrhage, severity of head injury, and early PTS are major risk factors for PTE. Antiseizure medications have shown efficacy in preventing early PTS in adults and children, leading to new guidelines for pediatric TBI. However, prophylactic use of antiseizure medications for preventing PTE is ineffective and not recommended. Further research is needed to identify biomarkers and effective therapies for at-risk patients.
CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Clio Rubinos, Maria Jose Bruzzone, Courtney Blodgett, Carolyn Tsai, Puja Patel, Rachel Hianik, Rakesh Jadav, Jordane Boudesseul, Chuning Liu, Hongtu Zhu, Susan E. Wilson, Casey Olm-Shipman, Rick Meeker, Lawrence J. Hirsch
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pyridoxine deficiency in patients with eSE and compare it with three control groups. The study found that the prevalence of pyridoxine deficiency was higher in patients with eSE than in the control groups, even after considering critical illness severity and timing of sample collection.
NEUROCRITICAL CARE
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Andrew Bauerschmidt, Andrey Eliseyev, Kevin W. Doyle, Angela Velasquez, Jennifer Egbebike, Wendy Chiu, Vedika Kumar, Ayham Alkhachroum, Caroline Der Nigoghossian, Fawaz Al-Mufti, LeRoy Rabbani, Daniel Brodie, Clio Rubinos, Soojin Park, David Roh, Sachin Agarwal, Jan Claassen
Summary: Adding quantitative EEG metrics to established predictors of recovery allows modest improvement of prediction accuracy for recovery of consciousness within a week of cardiac arrest. Analysis shows that the highest prediction accuracy is achieved when QEEG features from post-arrest days 4-6 are added to established predictors.
Correction
Clinical Neurology
Afshin A. Divani, Sasan Andalib, Jose Biller, Mario Di Napoli, Narges Moghimi, Clio A. Rubinos, Christa O'Hana Nobleza, P. N. Sylaja, Michel Toledano, Simona Lattanzi, Louise D. McCullough, Salvador Cruz-Flores, Michel Torbey, M. Reza Azarpazhooh
CURRENT NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Clio Rubinos, Ayham Alkhachroum, Caroline Der-Nigoghossian, Jan Claassen
SEMINARS IN NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Afshin A. Divani, Sasan Andalib, Jose Biller, Di Mario Napoli, Narges Moghimi, Clio A. Rubinos, Christa O'Hana Nobleza, P. N. Sylaja, Michel Toledano, Simona Lattanzi, Louise D. McCullough, Salvador Cruz-Flores, Michel Torbey, M. Reza Azarpazhooh
CURRENT NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE REPORTS
(2020)