Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
Published on: October 4, 2019
Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin
Xiao-Fei Zhang1, Xiaofeng Cui1
1Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Gap junctions are tightly packed intercellular channels that serve a common purpose of allowing the intercellular exchange of small metabolites, second messengers and electrical signals. Connexins (Cxs) are gap junction proteins. Currently, 20 and 21 members of Cxs have been characterized in mice and humans, respectively. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitously expressed type of Cx in the skin. It is produced by various different types of skin cell, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial and basal cells, melanocytes and dermal papilla cells. At present, more evidence indicates that Cx43 has an important role in skin repair and skin tumor development, as well as in skin cell invasion and metastasis. In this review, current knowledge regarding the regulation and function of Cx43 is summarized and the therapeutic potential of regulating Cx43 activity is discussed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Gap Junctions
Gap Junctions
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins
Anchoring Junctions
Contact-dependent Signaling
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Sensory Functions of the Skin
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...

