SARS-CoV-2 NSP2 as a Potential Delivery Vehicle for Proteins.

The development of biomolecule delivery systems is essential for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, immunological diseases, and metabolic disorders. For the first time, we found that SARS-CoV-2-encoded nonstructural protein 2 (NSP2) can be secreted from the cells, where it is synthesized. Brefeldin A and H89, inhibitors of ER/Golgi secretion pathways, did not inhibit NSP2 secretion.

GJA1-20k attenuates Ang II-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy by regulating gap junction formation and mitochondrial function.

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is characterized by an increase in cardiomyocyte size, and is the most common cause of cardiac-related sudden death. A decrease in gap junction (GJ) coupling and mitochondrial dysfunction are important features of CH, but the mechanisms of decreased coupling and energy impairment are poorly understood. It has been reported that GJA1-20k has a strong tropism for mitochondria and is required for the trafficking of connexin 43 (Cx43) to cell-cell borders.

Nitric oxide affects cisplatin cytotoxicity oppositely in A2780 and A2780-CDDP cells via the connexin32/gap junction.

Chemoresistance is a main obstacle in ovarian cancer therapy and new treatment strategies and further information regarding the mechanism of the medication cisplatin are urgently needed. Nitric oxide has a critical role in modulating the activity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Our previous work showed that connexin32 contributed to cisplatin resistance.

Inhibition of ubiquitin‑specific protease 14 promotes connexin 32 internalization and counteracts cisplatin cytotoxicity in human ovarian cancer cells.

Although cisplatin is one of the most accepted therapies for ovarian cancer, recurrence and drug resistance remain problematic. Both the ubiquitin‑proteasome system (UPS) and connexin (Cx) are closely related to tumor progression. However, the role of ubiquitin‑specific protease 14 (USP14) and Cx in mediating drug resistance remains unclear.

Cx32 mediates norepinephrine-promoted EGFR-TKI resistance in a gap junction-independent manner in non-small-cell lung cancer.

The second-generation EGFR-TKI Afatinib is an irreversible ErbB family blocker used to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, resistance to this drug develops over time, and patients are always under great psychological pressure. A previous study showed that chronic stress hormones participate in EGFR-TKI resistance via β -AR signaling via an IL-6 dependent mechanism.

Pattern of cell-to-cell transfer of microRNA by gap junction and its effect on the proliferation of glioma cells.

MicroRNA is expected to be a novel therapeutic tool for tumors. Gap junctions facilitate the transfer of microRNA, which exerts biological effects on tumor cells. However, the length of microRNA that can pass through certain gap junctions composed of specific connexin remains unknown.