Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein
Cancer is a widespread and incurable disease caused by genetic mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis. Connexins (Cx) are transmembrane proteins that facilitate intercellular communication via hemichannels and gap junction channels. Among them, Cx46 is found mostly in t...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-09-01
|
| Series: | Biomolecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1460 |
| _version_ | 1797574484486520832 |
|---|---|
| author | Isidora M. León-Fuentes María G. Salgado-Gil María S. Novoa Mauricio A. Retamal |
| author_facet | Isidora M. León-Fuentes María G. Salgado-Gil María S. Novoa Mauricio A. Retamal |
| author_sort | Isidora M. León-Fuentes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cancer is a widespread and incurable disease caused by genetic mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis. Connexins (Cx) are transmembrane proteins that facilitate intercellular communication via hemichannels and gap junction channels. Among them, Cx46 is found mostly in the eye lens. However, in pathological conditions, Cx46 has been observed in various types of cancers, such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It has been demonstrated that elevated Cx46 levels in breast cancer contribute to cellular resistance to hypoxia, and it is an enhancer of cancer aggressiveness supporting a pro-tumoral role. Accordingly, Cx46 is associated with an increase in cancer stem cell phenotype. These cells display radio- and chemoresistance, high proliferative abilities, self-renewal, and differentiation capacities. This review aims to consolidate the knowledge of the relationship between Cx46, its role in forming hemichannels and gap junctions, and its connection with cancer and cancer stem cells. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:24:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0858ad0e201d43d5a498409c76cfa883 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:24:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-0858ad0e201d43d5a498409c76cfa8832023-11-19T15:49:34ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2023-09-011310146010.3390/biom13101460Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining ProteinIsidora M. León-Fuentes0María G. Salgado-Gil1María S. Novoa2Mauricio A. Retamal3Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, República de Honduras 12740, Las Condes, Santiago 7610496, ChilePrograma de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, República de Honduras 12740, Las Condes, Santiago 7610496, ChilePrograma de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, República de Honduras 12740, Las Condes, Santiago 7610496, ChilePrograma de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, República de Honduras 12740, Las Condes, Santiago 7610496, ChileCancer is a widespread and incurable disease caused by genetic mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis. Connexins (Cx) are transmembrane proteins that facilitate intercellular communication via hemichannels and gap junction channels. Among them, Cx46 is found mostly in the eye lens. However, in pathological conditions, Cx46 has been observed in various types of cancers, such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It has been demonstrated that elevated Cx46 levels in breast cancer contribute to cellular resistance to hypoxia, and it is an enhancer of cancer aggressiveness supporting a pro-tumoral role. Accordingly, Cx46 is associated with an increase in cancer stem cell phenotype. These cells display radio- and chemoresistance, high proliferative abilities, self-renewal, and differentiation capacities. This review aims to consolidate the knowledge of the relationship between Cx46, its role in forming hemichannels and gap junctions, and its connection with cancer and cancer stem cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1460Connexin46GJA3cancer stem cellsbreast cancergap junction channels |
| spellingShingle | Isidora M. León-Fuentes María G. Salgado-Gil María S. Novoa Mauricio A. Retamal Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein Biomolecules Connexin46 GJA3 cancer stem cells breast cancer gap junction channels |
| title | Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein |
| title_full | Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein |
| title_fullStr | Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein |
| title_full_unstemmed | Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein |
| title_short | Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein |
| title_sort | connexins in cancer the possible role of connexin46 as a cancer stem cell determining protein |
| topic | Connexin46 GJA3 cancer stem cells breast cancer gap junction channels |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/10/1460 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT isidoramleonfuentes connexinsincancerthepossibleroleofconnexin46asacancerstemcelldeterminingprotein AT mariagsalgadogil connexinsincancerthepossibleroleofconnexin46asacancerstemcelldeterminingprotein AT mariasnovoa connexinsincancerthepossibleroleofconnexin46asacancerstemcelldeterminingprotein AT mauricioaretamal connexinsincancerthepossibleroleofconnexin46asacancerstemcelldeterminingprotein |