Authors: Pointis, G.; Fiorini, C.; Gilleron, J.; Carette, D.; Segretain, D.

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 14, Number 21, September 2007 , pp. 2288-2303(16)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Gap junctions, intercellular channels structured by the connexin protein family, have been implicated in the control of cell homeostasis, proliferation, differentiation and death. A loss of the gap junction intercellular communication and/or connexin dysfunction are typical features of cancer per se and have been associated with the effect of many carcinogens. Indeed, many early human neoplasia of various organs and human tumor cell lines exhibit deficient connexin-mediated communication expression mainly related, in a large number of observations, with an aberrant cytoplasmic localization of this membranous protein. Restoration of normal phenotype in transformed cells by restoration of exogenous connexin gave rise to the concept that connexins may act as tumor suppressors. However, the mechanisms by which connexins mediate such a tumor suppressor effect are multiple. They may result from: formation of functional channels; hemichannels or are directly associated with connexin expression. In addition, the literature shows that they may be dependent upon the cell type and the connexin type. In the present review, we analyze all these aspects of connexin/gap junction involvement in the carcinogenesis process, in human cancers and discuss the possibility of using connexins as potential anti-oncogenic targets for cancer chemoprevention and/or chemotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer; disease; gap junction; gap junction intercellular communication; hemichannels; connexin; tumor suppressor; delocalization; proliferation; apoptosis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707781696564

Affiliations: 1: INSERM U 670, Faculte de Medecine,28 avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice cedex, France.

Publication date: 2007-09-01

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• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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