Gap junctional regulation of signal transduction in bone cells.
The role of gap junctions, particularly that of connexin43 (Cx43), has become an area of increasing interest in bone physiology. An abundance of studies have shown that Cx43 influences the function of osteoblasts and osteocytes, which ultimately impacts bone mass acquisition and skeletal homeostasis. However, the molecular details underlying how Cx43 regulates bone are only coming into focus and have proven to be more complex than originally thought. In this review, we focus on the diverse molecular mechanisms by which Cx43 gap junctions and hemichannels regulate cell signaling pathways, gene expression, mechanotransduction and cell survival in bone cells. This review will highlight key signaling factors that have been identified as downstream effectors of Cx43 and the impact of these pathways on distinct osteoblast and osteocyte functions.
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Atum M
AM
Buo
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: jstai002@umaryland.edu.
Joseph P
JP
Stains
D000818:Animals; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D018031:Connexin 43
Bone; Connexin43; Gap junction; Osteoblast; Osteocyte; Osterix; Runx2; Signal transduction