title: Ubiquitination, intracellular trafficking, and degradation of connexins.
abstract: Gap junction channels provide a conduit for communication between neighboring cells. The function of gap junction channels is regulated by posttranslational modifications of connexins, the proteins that comprise these channels. Ubiquitination of connexins has increasingly been viewed as one mechanism by which cells regulate the level of connexins present in cells, as well as the corresponding intercellular communication. Here we review the current knowledge of connexin ubiquitination and the effects this may have on gap junctional communication.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. vsu@cc.hawaii.edu
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Alan F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D021381:Protein Transport; D054875:Ubiquitination; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D014452:Ubiquitins