Connexins: mechanisms regulating protein levels and intercellular communication.
Intercellular communication can occur through gap junction channels, which are comprised of connexin proteins. Therefore, levels of connexins can directly correlate with gap junctional intercellular communication. Because gap junctions have a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, the regulation of connexin protein levels is important. In the connexin life cycle, connexin protein levels can be modified through differential gene transcription or altered through trafficking and degradation mechanisms. More recently, significant attention has been directed to the pathways that cells utilize to increase or decrease connexin levels and thus indirectly, gap junctional communication. Here, we review the studies revealing the mechanisms that affect connexin protein levels and gap junctional intercellular communication.
Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States; Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States. Electronic address: barlos@hawaii.edu.
Vivian
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Su
Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States; Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.
Alan F
AF
Lau
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004705:Endocytosis; D060746:Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D059748:Proteolysis; D055571:Secretory Pathway; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000378:metabolism
D017630:Connexins; D014452:Ubiquitins
Autophagy; Connexin; Degradation; Lysosome; Proteasome; Trafficking