title: Non-channel functions of connexins in cell growth and cell death.
abstract: Cellular communication mediated by gap junction channels and hemichannels, both composed of connexin proteins, constitutes two acknowledged regulatory platforms in the accomplishment of tissue homeostasis. In recent years, an abundance of reports has been published indicating functions for connexin proteins in the control of the cellular life cycle that occur independently of their channel activities. This has yet been most exemplified in the context of cell growth and cell death, and is therefore as such addressed in the current paper. Specific attention is hereby paid to the molecular mechanisms that underpin the cellular non-channel roles of connexin proteins, namely the alteration of the expression of tissue homeostasis determinants and the physical interaction with cell growth and cell death regulators. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, composition, structure and characteristics.
authors: Department of Toxicology-Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. mvinken@vub.ac.be
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Vinken
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Decrock
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Leybaert
authors: Geert
authors: G
authors: Bultynck
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Himpens
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Vanhaecke
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Rogiers
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000074288:Discs Large Homolog 1 Protein; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D048848:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D015820:Cadherins; D017630:Connexins; C513314:DLG1 protein, human; D000074288:Discs Large Homolog 1 Protein; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; D051176:beta Catenin; D048848:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5