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Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
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Connexins in Cancer: Jekyll or Hyde?

Erin E Mulkearns-Hubert1, Ofer Reizes1,2,3, Justin D Lathia1,2,3,4

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

Biomolecules
|December 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Connexins, proteins forming gap junctions, have dual roles in cancer, acting as both tumor suppressors and promoters. Understanding connexin functions is key to developing new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cellular Communication

Background:

  • Connexins are protein subunits forming gap junctions, crucial for cell-cell communication.
  • Connexin expression, localization, and function are frequently altered in cancer.
  • Connexins exhibit dual roles in cancer, acting as tumor suppressors or promoters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review literature on connexin functions in cancer cells.
  • To propose connexins as upstream regulators of cancer hallmarks.
  • To highlight the potential of connexin-targeting therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of connexin roles in cancer.
  • Analysis of connexin functions including cell-cell coupling, hemichannel activity, and non-junctional roles.
  • Discussion of connexin involvement in cancer hallmarks.

Main Results:

  • Connexins play multifaceted roles in cancer, not solely as tumor suppressors.
  • Connexins are implicated in regulating key cancer hallmarks.
  • Advanced connexin targeting approaches are needed for further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Connexins are critical regulators upstream of cancer hallmarks.
  • Targeting connexins offers a promising avenue for cancer therapy development.
  • Further research using in vivo models and specific modulators is essential.
Keywords:
cancercancer stem cellsconnexinsgap junctionshemichannels

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