title: Connexin 43, breast cancer tumor suppressor: Missed connections?
abstract: Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that are characterized by their capacity to form intercellular channels called gap junctions that directly link the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. The formation of gap junctions by connexin proteins facilitates intercellular communication between neighboring cells by allowing for the transfer of ions and small signaling molecules. Communication through gap junctions is key to cellular equilibrium, where connexins, and the gap junction intercellular communication that connexins propagate, have roles in cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. Due to their importance in maintaining cellular functions, the disruption of connexin expression and function underlies the etiology and progression of numerous pathologies, including cancer. Over the past half a century, the role of connexins and gap junction intercellular communication have been highlighted as critical areas of research in cellular malignancies, and much research effort has been geared toward understanding their dysfunction in human cancers. Although ample evidence supports the role of connexins in a variety of human cancers, detailed examination in specific cancers, such as breast cancer, is still lacking. This review highlights the most abundant gap junction connexin isoform in higher vertebrate organisms, Connexin 43, and its role in breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: FirstString Research, Inc., 300 W. Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Grek
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: J Matthew
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rhett
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB358, MSC509, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Jaclynn S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: FirstString Research, Inc., 300 W. Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Gautam S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ghatnekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB358, MSC509, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29412, USA. Electronic address: yeh@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; C500216:GJA1 protein, human; C543076:GJA1 protein, mouse
keywords: Breast cancer; Connexin 43; Gap junctions; Metastasis