title: Molecular connexin partner remodeling orchestrates connexin traffic: from physiology to pathophysiology.
abstract: Connexins, through gap junctional intercellular communication, are known to regulate many physiological functions involved in developmental processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Strikingly, alterations of connexin expression and trafficking are often, if not always, associated with human developmental diseases and carcinogenesis. In this respect, disrupted trafficking dynamics and aberrant intracytoplasmic localization of connexins are considered as typical features of functionality failure leading to the pathological state. Recent findings demonstrate that interactions of connexins with numerous protein partners, which take place throughout connexin trafficking, are essential for gap junction formation, membranous stabilization and degradation. In the present study, we give an overview of the physiological molecular machinery and of the specific interactions between connexins and their partners, which are involved in connexin trafficking, and we highlight their changes in pathological situations.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U 1065, University Nice Sophia Antipolis, Team 5, C3M, 151 route Saint-Antoine de Ginestière, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilleron
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carette
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chevallier
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segretain
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pointis
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004705:Endocytosis; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport; D059748:Proteolysis
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D020033:Protein Isoforms