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Jiang H, Zhang Y, Wang ZZ, Chen NH. Connexin 43: An Interface Connecting Neuroinflammation to Depression. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041820. [PMID: 36838809 PMCID: PMC9961786 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading chronic mental illness worldwide, characterized by anhedonia, pessimism and even suicidal thoughts. Connexin 43 (Cx43), mainly distributed in astrocytes of the brain, is by far the most widely and ubiquitously expressed connexin in almost all vital organs. Cx43 forms gap junction channels in the brain, which mediate energy exchange and effectively maintain physiological homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests the crucial role of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of MDD. Neuroinflammation is one of the most common pathological features of the central nervous system dysfunctions. Inflammatory factors are abnormally elevated in patients with depression and are closely related to nearly all links of depression. After activating the inflammatory pathway in the brain, the release and uptake of glutamate and adenosine triphosphate, through Cx43 in the synaptic cleft, would be affected. In this review, we have summarized the association between Cx43 and neuroinflammation, the cornerstones linking inflammation and depression, and Cx43 abnormalities in depression. We also discuss the significant association of Cx43 in inflammation and depression, which will help to explore new antidepressant drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical, Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical, Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.W.); (N.-H.C.); Tel.: +86-10-6316-5182 (Z.-Z.W.); +86-10-63165177 (N.-H.C.)
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical, Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.W.); (N.-H.C.); Tel.: +86-10-6316-5182 (Z.-Z.W.); +86-10-63165177 (N.-H.C.)
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Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Corrales-Hernández MG, Ortiz-Vergara MC, Cormane-Alfaro V, Luque-Bernal RM, Calderon-Ospina CA, Cediel-Becerra JF. Connexins and Pannexins: Important Players in Neurodevelopment, Neurological Diseases, and Potential Therapeutics. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2237. [PMID: 36140338 PMCID: PMC9496069 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication is essential for proper embryonic development and its dysfunction may lead to disease. Recent research has drawn attention to a new group of molecules called connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs). Cxs have been described for more than forty years as pivotal regulators of embryogenesis; however, the exact mechanism by which they provide this regulation has not been clearly elucidated. Consequently, Cxs and Panxs have been linked to congenital neurodegenerative diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and, more recently, chronic hemichannel opening has been associated with adult neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). Cell-to-cell communication via gap junctions formed by hexameric assemblies of Cxs, known as connexons, is believed to be a crucial component in developmental regulation. As for Panxs, despite being topologically similar to Cxs, they predominantly seem to form channels connecting the cytoplasm to the extracellular space and, despite recent research into Panx1 (Pannexin 1) expression in different regions of the brain during the embryonic phase, it has been studied to a lesser degree. When it comes to the nervous system, Cxs and Panxs play an important role in early stages of neuronal development with a wide span of action ranging from cellular migration during early stages to neuronal differentiation and system circuitry formation. In this review, we describe the most recent available evidence regarding the molecular and structural aspects of Cx and Panx channels, their role in neurodevelopment, congenital and adult neurological diseases, and finally propose how pharmacological modulation of these channels could modify the pathogenesis of some diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaría
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - María Gabriela Corrales-Hernández
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Maria Camila Ortiz-Vergara
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Valeria Cormane-Alfaro
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Ricardo-Miguel Luque-Bernal
- Anatomy and Embriology Units, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Carlos-Alberto Calderon-Ospina
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
- GENIUROS Research Group, Center for Research in Genetics and Genomics (CIGGUR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
| | - Juan-Fernando Cediel-Becerra
- Histology and Embryology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
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Kiris I, Basar MK, Sahin B, Gurel B, Coskun J, Mroczek T, Baykal AT. Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effect of Lycoramine on Alzheimer's Disease in Mouse Model. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:3449-3473. [PMID: 33200692 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327999201116193126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading health problems characterized by the accumulation of Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau that account for the senile plaque formations causing extensive cognitive decline. Many of the clinical diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease are made in the late stages, when the pathological changes have already progressed. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to evaluate the promising therapeutic effects of a natural compound, lycoramine, which has been shown to have therapeutic potential in several studies and to understand its mechanism of action on the molecular level via differential protein expression analyses. METHODS Lycoramine and galantamine, an FDA approved drug used in the treatment of mild to moderate AD, were administered to 12 month-old 5xFAD mice. Effects of the compounds were investigated by Morris water maze, immunohistochemistry and label- free differential protein expression analyses. RESULTS Here we demonstrated the reversal of cognitive decline via behavioral testing and the clearance of Aβ plaques. Proteomics analysis provided in-depth information on the statistically significant protein perturbations in the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum sections to hypothesize the possible clearance mechanisms of the plaque formation and the molecular mechanism of the reversal of cognitive decline in a transgenic mouse model. Bioinformatics analyses showed altered molecular pathways that can be linked with the reversal of cognitive decline observed after lycoramine administration but not with galantamine. CONCLUSION Lycoramine shows therapeutic potential to halt and reverse cognitive decline at the late stages of disease progression, and holds great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Kiris
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Karayel Basar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Betul Sahin
- Acibadem Labmed Clinical Laboratories, R&D Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Busra Gurel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Julide Coskun
- Acibadem Labmed Clinical Laboratories, R&D Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tomasz Mroczek
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ahmet Tarik Baykal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Pietrowski MJ, Gabr AA, Kozlov S, Blum D, Halle A, Carvalho K. Glial Purinergic Signaling in Neurodegeneration. Front Neurol 2021; 12:654850. [PMID: 34054698 PMCID: PMC8160300 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.654850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purinergic signaling regulates neuronal and glial cell functions in the healthy CNS. In neurodegenerative diseases, purinergic signaling becomes dysregulated and can affect disease-associated phenotypes of glial cells. In this review, we discuss how cell-specific expression patterns of purinergic signaling components change in neurodegeneration and how dysregulated glial purinergic signaling and crosstalk may contribute to disease pathophysiology, thus bearing promising potential for the development of new therapeutical options for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie J Pietrowski
- Microglia and Neuroinflammation Laboratory, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Amr Ahmed Gabr
- Microglia and Neuroinflammation Laboratory, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Stanislav Kozlov
- Microglia and Neuroinflammation Laboratory, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - David Blum
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France.,Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Labex DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Annett Halle
- Microglia and Neuroinflammation Laboratory, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kevin Carvalho
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, Lille, France.,Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Labex DISTALZ, Lille, France
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Gingrich J, Pu Y, Upham BL, Hulse M, Pearl S, Martin D, Avery A, Veiga-Lopez A. Bisphenol S enhances gap junction intercellular communication in ovarian theca cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128304. [PMID: 33155548 PMCID: PMC7726030 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is necessary for ovarian function, and it is temporospatially regulated during follicular development and ovulation. At outermost layer of the antral follicle, theca cells provide structural, steroidogenic, and vascular support. Inter- and extra-thecal GJIC is required for intrafollicular trafficking of signaling molecules. Because GJIC can be altered by hormones and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), we tested if any of five common EDCs (bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and triphenyltin chloride (TPT)) can interfere with theca cell GJIC. Since most chemicals are reported to repress GJIC, we hypothesized that all chemicals tested, within environmentally relevant human exposure concentrations, will inhibit theca cell GJICs. To evaluate this hypothesis, we used a scrape loading/dye transfer assay. BPS, but no other chemical tested, enhanced GJIC in a dose- and time-dependent manner in ovine primary theca cells. A signal-protein inhibitor approach was used to explore the GJIC-modulatory pathways involved. Phospholipase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors significantly attenuated BPS-induced enhanced GJIC. Human theca cells were used to evaluate translational relevance of these findings. Human primary theca cells had a ∼40% increase in GJIC in response to BPS, which was attenuated with a MAPK inhibitor, suggestive of a conserved mechanism. Upregulation of GJIC could result in hyperplasia of the theca cell layer or prevent ovulation by holding the oocyte in meiotic arrest. Further studies are necessary to understand in vitro to in vivo translatability of these findings on follicle development and fertility outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gingrich
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Yong Pu
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Brad L Upham
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Madeline Hulse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Sarah Pearl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Denny Martin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA
| | - Anita Avery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sparrow Health System, Lansing, MI, 48912, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Mesnil M, Defamie N, Naus C, Sarrouilhe D. Brain Disorders and Chemical Pollutants: A Gap Junction Link? Biomolecules 2020; 11:51. [PMID: 33396565 PMCID: PMC7824109 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of brain pathologies has increased during last decades. Better diagnosis (autism spectrum disorders) and longer life expectancy (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease) partly explain this increase, while emerging data suggest pollutant exposures as a possible but still underestimated cause of major brain disorders. Taking into account that the brain parenchyma is rich in gap junctions and that most pollutants inhibit their function; brain disorders might be the consequence of gap-junctional alterations due to long-term exposures to pollutants. In this article, this hypothesis is addressed through three complementary aspects: (1) the gap-junctional organization and connexin expression in brain parenchyma and their function; (2) the effect of major pollutants (pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, heavy metals, airborne particles, etc.) on gap-junctional and connexin functions; (3) a description of the major brain disorders categorized as neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, epilepsy), neurobehavioral (migraines, major depressive disorders), neurodegenerative (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases) and cancers (glioma), in which both connexin dysfunction and pollutant involvement have been described. Based on these different aspects, the possible involvement of pollutant-inhibited gap junctions in brain disorders is discussed for prenatal and postnatal exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Mesnil
- Laboratoire STIM, ERL7003 CNRS-Université de Poitiers, 1 rue G. Bonnet–TSA 51 106, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Norah Defamie
- Laboratoire STIM, ERL7003 CNRS-Université de Poitiers, 1 rue G. Bonnet–TSA 51 106, 86073 Poitiers, France; (M.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Christian Naus
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada;
| | - Denis Sarrouilhe
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Humaine, Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie, 6 rue de La Milétrie, bât D1, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers, France
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Expression of Connexins 37, 43 and 45 in Developing Human Spinal Cord and Ganglia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249356. [PMID: 33302507 PMCID: PMC7770599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct intercellular communication via gap junctions has an important role in the development of the nervous system, ranging from cell migration and neuronal differentiation to the formation of neuronal activity patterns. This study characterized and compared the specific spatio-temporal expression patterns of connexins (Cxs) 37, 43 and 45 during early human developmental stages (since the 5th until the 10th developmental week) in the spinal cord (SC) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) using double immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We found the expression of all three investigated Cxs during early human development in all the areas of interest, in the SC, DRG, developing paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic trunk, notochord and all three meningeal layers, with predominant expression of Cx37. Comparing the expression of different Cxs between distinct developmental periods, we did not find significant differences. Specific spatio-temporal pattern of Cxs expression might reflect their relevance in the development of all areas of interest via cellular interconnectivity and synchronization during the late embryonic and early fetal period of human development.
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He JT, LI XY, Yang L, Zhao X. Astroglial connexins and cognition: memory formation or deterioration? Biosci Rep 2020; 40:BSR20193510. [PMID: 31868207 PMCID: PMC6954363 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexins are the membrane proteins that form high-conductance plasma membrane channels and are the important constituents of gap junctions and hemichannels. Among different types of connexins, connexin 43 is the most widely expressed and studied gap junction proteins in astrocytes. Due to the key involvement of astrocytes in memory impairment and abundant expression of connexins in astrocytes, astroglial connexins have been projected as key therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, the role of connexin gap junctions and hemichannels in memory formation and consolidation has also been reported. Moreover, deletion of these proteins and loss of gap junction communication result in loss of short-term spatial memory. Accordingly, both memory formation and memory deteriorating functions of astrocytes-located connexins have been documented. Physiologically expressed connexins may be involved in the memory formation, while pathologically increased expression of connexins with consequent excessive activation of astrocytes may induce neuronal injury and cognitive decline. The present review describes the memory formation as well as memory deteriorating functions of astroglial connexins in memory disorders of different etiology with possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ting He
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yan LI
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Le Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The People’s Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130031, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
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Sarrouilhe D, Mesnil M, Dejean C. Targeting Gap Junctions: New Insights into the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:3775-3791. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180327103530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background:Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial chronic and debilitating mood disease with high lifetime prevalence and associated with excess mortality. Treatments for this disease are not effective in all patients showing the need to find new therapeutic targets.Objective:This review aims to update our knowledge on the involvement of astroglial gap junctions and hemichannels in MDD and to show how they have become potential targets for the treatment of this pathology.Methods:The method applied in this review includes a systematic compilation of the relevant literature.Results and Conclusion:The use of rodent models of depression, gene analysis of hippocampal tissues of MDD patients and post-mortem studies on the brains from MDD patients suggest that astrocytic gap junction dysfunction may be a part of MDD etiologies. Chronic antidepressant treatments of rats, rat cultured cortical astrocytes and human astrocytoma cell lines support the hypothesis that the up-regulation of gap junctional coupling between astrocytes could be an underlying mechanism for the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. However, two recent functional studies suggest that connexin43 hemichannel activity is a part of several antidepressants’ mode of action and that astrocyte gap junctional intercellular communication and hemichannels exert different effects on antidepressant drug response. Even if they emerge as new therapeutic targets for new and more active treatments, further studies are needed to decipher the sophisticated and respective role of astrocytic gap junctions and hemichannels in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sarrouilhe
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Humaine, Faculte de Medecine et Pharmacie, Universite de Poitiers, 6 rue de la Miletrie, Bat D1, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers, Cedex 9, France
| | - Marc Mesnil
- STIM, ERL 7003, CNRS-Universite de Poitiers, Pole Biologie Sante, Bat B36, TSA 51106, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, 86073 Poitiers, Cedex 9, France
| | - Catherine Dejean
- Service Pharmacie, Pavillon Janet, Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit, 370 avenue Jacques Coeur, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France
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Ahmadian E, Eftekhari A, Samiei M, Maleki Dizaj S, Vinken M. The role and therapeutic potential of connexins, pannexins and their channels in Parkinson's disease. Cell Signal 2019; 58:111-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Sinyuk M, Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Reizes O, Lathia J. Cancer Connectors: Connexins, Gap Junctions, and Communication. Front Oncol 2018; 8:646. [PMID: 30622930 PMCID: PMC6308394 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite concerted clinical and research efforts, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have remained the most common standard-of-care strategies against cancer for decades. However, the side effects of these therapies demonstrate the need to investigate adjuvant novel treatment modalities that minimize the harm caused to healthy cells and tissues. Normal and cancerous cells require communication amongst themselves and with their surroundings to proliferate and drive tumor growth. It is vital to understand how intercellular and external communication impacts tumor cell malignancy. To survive and grow, tumor cells, and their normal counterparts utilize cell junction molecules including gap junctions (GJs), tight junctions, and adherens junctions to provide contact points between neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix. GJs are specialized structures composed of a family of connexin proteins that allow the free diffusion of small molecules and ions directly from the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, without encountering the extracellular milieu, which enables rapid, and coordinated cellular responses to internal and external stimuli. Importantly, connexins perform three main cellular functions. They enable direct gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) between cells, form hemichannels to allow cell communication with the extracellular environment, and serve as a site for protein-protein interactions to regulate signaling pathways. Connexins themselves have been found to promote tumor cell growth and invasiveness, contributing to the overall tumorigenicity and have emerged as attractive anti-tumor targets due to their functional diversity. However, connexins can also serve as tumor suppressors, and therefore, a complete understanding of the roles of the connexins and GJs in physiological and pathophysiological conditions is needed before connexin targeting strategies are applied. Here, we discuss how the three aspects of connexin function, namely GJIC, hemichannel formation, and connexin-protein interactions, function in normal cells, and contribute to tumor cell growth, proliferation, and death. Finally, we discuss the current state of anti-connexin therapies and speculate which role may be most amenable for the development of targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Sinyuk
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Erin E. Mulkearns-Hubert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Ofer Reizes
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Justin Lathia
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Pérez Armendariz EM, Norcini M, Hernández-Tellez B, Castell-Rodríguez A, Coronel-Cruz C, Alquicira RG, Sideris A, Recio-Pinto E. Neurons and satellite glial cells in adult rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia express connexin 36. Acta Histochem 2018; 120:168-178. [PMID: 29224922 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that following peripheral nerve injury there was a downregulation of the gap junction protein connexin 36 (Cx36) in the spinal cord; however, it is not known whether Cx36 protein is expressed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), nor if its levels are altered following peripheral nerve injuries. Here we address these aspects in the adult rat lumbar DRG. Cx36 mRNA was detected using qRT-PCR, and Cx36 protein was identified in DRG sections using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). Double staining revealed that Cx36 co-localizes with both anti-β-III tubulin, a neuronal marker, and anti-glutamine synthetase, a satellite glial cell (SGC) marker. In neurons, Cx36 staining was mostly uniform in somata and fibers of all sizes and its intensity increased at the cell membranes. This labeling pattern was in contrast with Cx36 IF dots mainly found at junctional membranes in islet beta cells used as a control tissue. Co-staining with anti-Cx43 and anti-Cx36 showed that whereas mostly uniform staining of Cx36 was found throughout neurons and SGCs, Cx43 IF puncta were localized to SGCs. Cx36 mRNA was expressed in normal lumbar DRG, and it was significantly down-regulated in L4 DRG of rats that underwent sciatic nerve injury resulting in persistent hypersensitivity. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that neurons and SGCs express Cx36 protein in normal DRG, and suggested that perturbation of Cx36 levels may contribute to chronic neuropathic pain resulting from a peripheral nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martha Pérez Armendariz
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Torre de Investigación 5to piso, Avenida Universidad 3000, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Colonia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
| | - Monica Norcini
- Department of Anesthesiology, NYULMC, 180 Varick Street, Room 677, New York, NY 10014, USA.
| | - Beatriz Hernández-Tellez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Torre de Investigación 5to piso, Avenida Universidad 3000, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Colonia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
| | - Andrés Castell-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Torre de Investigación 5to piso, Avenida Universidad 3000, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Colonia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
| | - Cristina Coronel-Cruz
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Torre de Investigación 5to piso, Avenida Universidad 3000, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Colonia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
| | - Raquel Guerrero Alquicira
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Torre de Investigación 5to piso, Avenida Universidad 3000, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, Colonia Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CU, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
| | - Alexandra Sideris
- Department of Anesthesiology, NYULMC, 180 Varick Street, Room 677, New York, NY 10014, USA.
| | - Esperanza Recio-Pinto
- Department of Anesthesiology, NYULMC, 180 Varick Street, Room 677, New York, NY 10014, USA; Departments of Anesthesiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, NYULMC, 180 Varick Street, Room 677, New York, NY 10014 USA.
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13
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Agrahari AK, Kumar A, R S, Zayed H, C GPD. Substitution impact of highly conserved arginine residue at position 75 in GJB1 gene in association with X-linked Charcot-Marie-tooth disease: A computational study. J Theor Biol 2018; 437:305-317. [PMID: 29111421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 X (CMTX1) disease is a subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), which is mainly caused by mutations in the GJB1 gene. It is also known as connexin 32 (Cx32) that leads to Schwann cell abnormalities and peripheral neuropathy. CMTX1 is considered as the second most common form of CMT disease. The aim of this study is to computationally predict the potential impact of different single amino acid substitutions at position 75 of Cx32, from arginine (R) to proline (P), glutamine (Q) and tryptophan (W). This position is known to be highly conserved among the family of connexin. To understand the structural and functional changes due to these single amino acid substitutions, we employed a homology-modeling technique to build the three-dimensional structure models for the native and mutant proteins. The protein structures were further embedded into a POPC lipid bilayer, inserted into a water box, and subjected to molecular dynamics simulation for 50 ns. Our results show that the mutants R75P, R75Q and R75W display variable structural conformation and dynamic behavior compared to the native protein. Our data proves useful in predicting the potential pathogenicity of the mutant proteins and is expected to serve as a platform for drug discovery for patients with CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; Biosciences Sector, Center for advanced study research and development in Sardinia (CRS4), Loc. Piscina Manna, 09010 Pula, Italy
| | - Siva R
- School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - George Priya Doss C
- School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
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14
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Sarrouilhe D, Dejean C, Mesnil M. Connexin43- and Pannexin-Based Channels in Neuroinflammation and Cerebral Neuropathies. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:320. [PMID: 29066951 PMCID: PMC5641369 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cx) are largely represented in the central nervous system (CNS) with 11 Cx isoforms forming intercellular channels. Moreover, in the CNS, Cx43 can form hemichannels (HCs) at non-junctional membrane as does the related channel-forming Pannexin1 (Panx1) and Panx2. Opening of Panx1 channels and Cx43 HCs appears to be involved in inflammation and has been documented in various CNS pathologies. Over recent years, evidence has accumulated supporting a link between inflammation and cerebral neuropathies (migraine, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). Involvement of Panx channels and Cx43 HCs has been also proposed in pathophysiology of neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. Other studies showed that following inflammatory injury of the CNS, Panx1 activators are released and prolonged opening of Panx1 channels triggers neuronal death. In neuropsychiatric diseases, comorbidities are frequently present and can aggravate the symptoms and make therapeutic management more complex. The high comorbidity between some neuropathies can be partially understood by the fact that these diseases share a common etiology involving inflammatory pathways and Panx1 channels or Cx43 HCs. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapy opens perspectives of targets for new treatments and could have real potential in controlling a cerebral neuropathy and some of its comorbidities. The purpose of this mini review is to provide information of our knowledge on the link between Cx43- and Panx-based channels, inflammation and cerebral neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sarrouilhe
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Humaine, Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Catherine Dejean
- Service Pharmacie, Pavillon Janet, Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit, Poitiers, France
| | - Marc Mesnil
- STIM Laboratory, ERL 7368-CNRS, Université de Poitiers, Pôle Biologie Santé, Poitiers, France
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15
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Chen B, Sun L, Wu X, Ma J. Correlation between connexin and traumatic brain injury in patients. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00770. [PMID: 28948071 PMCID: PMC5607540 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of molecular alterations of damaged tissue in patients with neurological disorders can provide novel insight and potential therapeutic target for treatment of the diseases. It has been suggested by animal studies that connexins (CXs), a family of gap junction proteins, could contribute to neuronal cell death and associate with neurological deficits during trauma-induced damage. Nevertheless, whether specific CXs are involved in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has remained unexplored in human patients. METHODS In a clinical setting, we performed a correlation study of 131 TBI patients who received brain surgery. CXs (including CX40, CX43, and CX45) were examined in the harvested brain tissues for studying the relationships with the Glasgow Coma Scale scores of the patients. RESULTS Specifically, the protein levels of CX43 (negatively) and CX40 (positively) are associated with the extent of disease severity. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation status of CX43 was strongly associated with the severe TBI patients who contain relatively high kinase activities of PKC (protein kinase C) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), two possible activators for CX43 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION These data highlight that a cluster of connexin family gap junction proteins not previously studied in humans is significantly correlated with the disease progression of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liwei Sun
- Tianjin Huanhu Hospital Tianjin China
| | | | - Jun Ma
- School of Public Health Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
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16
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Rodriguez-Grande B, Konsman JP. Gas Diffusion in the CNS. J Neurosci Res 2017; 96:207-218. [PMID: 28504343 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gases have been long known to have essential physiological functions in the CNS such as respiration or regulation of vascular tone. Since gases have been classically considered to freely diffuse, research in gas biology has so far focused on mechanisms of gas synthesis and gas reactivity, rather than gas diffusion and transport. However, the discovery of gas pores during the last two decades and the characterization of diverse diffusion patterns through different membranes has raised the possibility that modulation of gas diffusion is also a physiologically relevant parameter. Here we review the means of gas movement into and within the brain through "free" diffusion and gas pores, notably aquaporins, discussing the role that gas diffusion may play in the modulation of gas function. We highlight how diffusion is relevant to neuronal signaling, volume transmission, and cerebrovascular control in the case of NO, one of the most extensively studied gases. We point out how facilitated transport can be especially relevant for gases with low permeability in lipid membranes like NH3 and discuss the possible implications of NH3 -permeable channels in physiology and hyperammonemic encephalopathy. We identify novel research questions about how modulation of gas diffusion could intervene in CNS pathologies. This emerging area of research can provide novel and interesting insights in the field of gas biology.
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17
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Vicario N, Calabrese G, Zappalà A, Parenti C, Forte S, Graziano ACE, Vanella L, Pellitteri R, Cardile V, Parenti R. Inhibition of Cx43 mediates protective effects on hypoxic/reoxygenated human neuroblastoma cells. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:2563-2572. [PMID: 28488330 PMCID: PMC5618696 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), a special population of glial cells, are able to synthesise several trophic factors exerting a neuroprotective action and promoting growth and functional recovery in both in vitro and in vivo models. In the present work, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of OEC-conditioned medium (OEC-CM) on two different human neuron-like cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH (neuroblastoma cell lines), under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, we also focused our attention on the role of connexins (Cxs) in the neuroprotective processes. Our results confirmed OEC-CM mediated neuroprotection as shown by cell adherence, proliferation and cellular viability analyses. Reduced connexin 43 (Cx43) levels in OEC-CM compared to unconditioned cells in hypoxic conditions prompted us to investigate the role of Cx43-Gap junctions (GJs) and Cx43-hemichannels (HCs) in hypoxic/reoxygenation injury using carbenoxolone (non-selective GJ inhibitor), ioxynil octanoato (selective Cx43-GJ inhibitor) and Gap19 (selective Cx43-HC inhibitor). We found that Cx43-GJ and Cx43-HC inhibitors are able to protect SH-SY5Y and allow to these cultures to overcome the injury. Our findings support the hypothesis that both OEC-CM and the inhibition of Cx43-GJs and Cx43-HCs offer a neuroprotective effect by reducing Cx43-mediated cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular environment communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Vicario
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanna Calabrese
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Vanella
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Pellitteri
- Institute Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | - Venera Cardile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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18
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Calderón JF, Retamal MA. Regulation of Connexins Expression Levels by MicroRNAs, an Update. Front Physiol 2016; 7:558. [PMID: 27932990 PMCID: PMC5122916 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of cell-cell coordination and communication is regulated by several factors, including paracrine and autocrine release of biomolecules, and direct exchange of soluble factors between cells through gap junction channels. Additionally, hemichannels also participate in cell-cell coordination through the release of signaling molecules, such as ATP and glutamate. A family of transmembrane proteins named connexins forms both gap junction channels and hemichannels. Because of their importance in cell and tissue coordination, connexins are controlled both by post-translational and post-transcriptional modifications. In recent years, non-coding RNAs have garnered research interest due to their ability to exert post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. One of the most recent, well-documented control mechanisms of protein synthesis is found through the action of small, single-stranded RNA, called micro RNAs (miRNAs or miRs). Put simply, miRNAs are negative regulators of the expression of a myriad proteins involved in many physiological and pathological processes. This mini review will briefly summarize what is currently known about the action of miRNAs over Cxs expression/function in different organs under some relevant physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Calderón
- Facultad de Medicina, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio A Retamal
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Santiago, Chile
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