title: Connexin 43 ubiquitination determines the fate of gap junctions: restrict to survive.
abstract: Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins that form channels which allow direct intercellular communication (IC) between neighbouring cells via gap junctions. Mechanisms that modulate the amount of channels at the plasma membrane have emerged as important regulators of IC and their de-regulation has been associated with various diseases. Although Cx-mediated IC can be modulated by different mechanisms, ubiquitination has been described as one of the major post-translational modifications involved in Cx regulation and consequently IC. In this review, we focus on the role of ubiquitin and its effect on gap junction intercellular communication.
authors.affiliation: *Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: *Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catarino
authors.affiliation: *Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.affiliation: *Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: *Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Girao
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy / Q000235:genetics*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D059748:Proteolysis; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054875:Ubiquitination / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; C500216:GJA1 protein, human; D025801:Ubiquitin