Multiple connexins, the major proteins of gap junctions, have overlapping expression in the human epidermis and are postulated to have a key role in keratinocyte differentiation and homeostasis. The functional importance of connexins in the epidermis is emphasised by the association of mutations in four human connexins with various hyperproliferative skin disorders. As immunohistochemistry demo...

Lens connexins α3Cx46 and α8Cx50 interact with zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1). Connexin ␣1Cx43 has previously been shown to bind to the PDZ domain– containing protein ZO-1. The similarity of the carboxyl termini of this connexin and the lens fiber connexins ␣3Cx46 and ␣8Cx50 suggested that these connexins may also interact with ZO-1. ZO-1 was shown to be highly expressed in mouse lenses. Col...

Direct intercellular communication occurs through specialized channels, which are formed by the interaction of two half-channels, or connexons, contributed by each of the two participating cells. The ability to establish intercellular communication is specified, in part, by the expression of different structural proteins, termed connexins. Connexins can control the establishment of intercellula...

Anchoring junction, tight junction (TJ), and gap junction (GJ) constitute three major junction types in mammalian testes. Connexin is the well-studied GJ protein. It forms the building block of connexon, which is composed of six connexin units. Connexon forms the functional GJ when pairing with counter-connexon from neighboring cells. In the testis, at least eleven connexins are associated with...

Our laboratory has previously reported that transfection of a connexin26 (Cx26) gene, but not connexin40 nor connexin43 (Cx43), into HeLa cells expressing no detectable level of connexins suppressed the tumorigenic phenotype of the HeLa cells both in vitro and in vivo, although all of these connexins induced gap junctional intercellular communication in HeLa cells to a similar extent. The most ...

Gap junctions are intercellular proteins responsible for mediating both electrical and biochemical coupling through the exchange of ions, second messengers and small metabolites. They consist of two connexons, with (one) connexon supplied by each cell. A connexon is a hexamer of connexins and currently more than 20 connexin isoforms have been described in the literature thus far. Connexins have...