title: Insights into the role of connexins in mammary gland morphogenesis and function.
abstract: Gap junctions formed of connexin subunits link adjacent cells by direct intercellular communication that is essential for normal tissue homeostasis in the mammary gland. The mammary gland undergoes immense remodeling and requires exquisite regulation to control the proliferative, differentiating, and cell death mechanisms regulating gland development and function. The generation of novel genetically modified mice with reduced or ablated connexin function within the mammary gland has advanced our understanding of the role of gap junctions during the complex and dynamic process of mammary gland development. These studies have revealed an important stage-specific role for Cx26 (GJA1) and Cx43 (GJB2), while Cx30 (GJB6) and Cx32 (Gjb1) can be eliminated without compromising the gland. Yet, there remain gaps in our understanding of the role of mammary gland gap junctions.
authors: Departments of Physiology and PharmacologyAnatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1.
authors: Michael K G
authors: MK
authors: Stewart
authors: Departments of Physiology and PharmacologyAnatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1.
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: Simek
authors: Departments of Physiology and PharmacologyAnatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1 Departments of Physiology and PharmacologyAnatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1 dale.laird@schulich.uwo.ca.
authors: Dale W
authors: DW
authors: Laird
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; C000607042:GJB2 protein, human; D000072259:Connexin 26