Connexin 26 (GJB2) mutations, causing KID Syndrome, are associated with cell death due to calcium gating deregulation.
The autosomic dominant KID Syndrome (MIM 148210), due to mutations in GJB2 (connexin 26, Cx26), is an ectodermal dysplasia with erythematous scaly skin lesions, keratitis and severe bilateral sensorineural deafness. The Cx26 protein is a component of gap junction channels in epithelia, including the cochlea, which coordinates the exchange of molecules and ions. Here, we demonstrate that different Cx26 mutants (Cx26D50N and Cx26G11E) cause cell death in vitro by the alteration of intra-cellular calcium concentrations. These results help to explain the pathogenesis of both the hearing and skin phenotypes, since calcium is also a potent regulator of the epidermal differentiation process.
Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS, C/O Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. alessandro.terrinoni@uniroma2.it
Alessandro
A
Terrinoni
Andrea
A
Codispoti
Valeria
V
Serra
Biagio
B
Didona
Ernesto
E
Bruno
Robert
R
Nisticò
Michela
M
Giustizieri
Marco
M
Alessandrini
Elena
E
Campione
Gerry
G
Melino
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics*; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000235:genetics*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007057:Ichthyosis / Q000235:genetics*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000235:genetics*; D007642:Keratosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D013577:Syndrome
D017630:Connexins; C000607042:GJB2 protein, human; D000072259:Connexin 26; D002118:Calcium