Connexins in colorectal cancer pathogenesis.

The connexins constitute a family of integral membrane proteins that form channels between adjacent cells. These channels are assembled in plasma membrane domains known as gap junctions and enable cells to directly exchange ions and small molecules. Intercellular communication via gap junctions plays important roles in regulating cell growth and differentiation and in maintaining tissue homeostasis.

NEDD4 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and promotes colonic cell growth independently of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT pathway.

Ubiquitination controls multiple cellular processes relevant to cancer pathogenesis. Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of an mRNA transcriptome dataset, we have identified genes encoding components of the ubiquitin system that are differentially expressed in colorectal cancers as compared to normal colonic mucosa. Among the significantly overexpressed genes was NEDD4 (neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 4), the prototype member of the HECT (homologous to E6AP C-terminus) E3 ubiquitin ligase family.

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor-2 controls gap junction intercellular communication by modulating endocytosis and degradation of connexin43.

Gap junctions consist of arrays of intercellular channels that enable adjacent cells to communicate both electrically and metabolically. Gap junction channels are made of a family of integral membrane proteins called connexins, of which the best-studied member is connexin43. Gap junctions are dynamic plasma membrane domains, and connexin43 has a high turnover rate in most tissue types.

The gap junction channel protein connexin 43 is covalently modified and regulated by SUMOylation.

SUMOylation is a posttranslational modification in which a member of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) family of proteins is conjugated to lysine residues in specific target proteins. Most known SUMOylation target proteins are located in the nucleus, but there is increasing evidence that SUMO may also be a key determinant of many extranuclear processes. Gap junctions consist of arrays of intercellular channels that provide direct transfer of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells.

Endocytosis and post-endocytic sorting of connexins.

The connexins constitute a family of integral membrane proteins that form intercellular channels, enabling adjacent cells in solid tissues to directly exchange ions and small molecules. These channels assemble into distinct plasma membrane domains known as gap junctions. Gap junction intercellular communication plays critical roles in numerous cellular processes, including control of cell growth and differentiation, maintenance of tissue homeostasis and embryonic development.

Norepinephrine inhibits intercellular coupling in rat cardiomyocytes by ubiquitination of connexin43 gap junctions.

Unlabelled: Gαq-stimulation reduces intercellular coupling within 10 min via a decrease in the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), but the mechanism is unknown. Here we show that uncoupling in rat cardiomyocytes after stimulation of α-adrenergic Gαq-coupled receptors with norepinephrine is prevented by proteasomal and lysosomal inhibitors, suggesting that internalization and possibly degradation of connexin43 (Cx43) is involved. Uncoupling was accompanied by increased Triton X-100 solubility of Cx43, which is considered a measure of the non-junctional pool of Cx43.

Quantitative validation of GJC1 promoter hypermethylation in benign and malignant colorectal tumors.

We have previously shown that the gap junction protein γ 1 (GJC1) gene, encoding the connexin-45 protein, is inactivated by promoter hypermethylation in colorectal cancer. This was confirmed in a recent Endocrine-Related Cancer publication analyzing a limited number of samples. The aim of this study was to analyze GJC1 in a larger clinical cohort (n=485) and to assess whether or not the promoter hypermethylation was associated with clinical or pathological features.

Connexin43 acts as a colorectal cancer tumor suppressor and predicts disease outcome.

This article is the first to show that loss of connexin43 (Cx43) expression in colorectal tumors is correlated with significantly shorter relapse-free and overall survival. Cx43 was further found to negatively regulate growth of colon cancer cells, in part by enhancing apoptosis. In addition, Cx43 was found to colocalize with β-catenin and reduce Wnt signaling.

Cargo-dependent degradation of ESCRT-I as a feedback mechanism to modulate endosomal sorting.

Ligand-mediated lysosomal degradation of growth factor receptors, mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, is a mechanism that attenuates the cellular response to growth factors. In this article, we present a novel regulatory mechanism that involves ligand-mediated degradation of a key component of the sorting machinery itself. We have investigated the endosomal localization of subunits of the four ESCRTs-Hrs (ESCRT-0), Tsg101 (ESCRT-I), EAP30/Vps22 (ESCRT-II) and charged multivesicular body protein 3/Vps24 (ESCRT-III).

DNA methylation analyses of the connexin gene family reveal silencing of GJC1 (Connexin45) by promoter hypermethylation in colorectal cancer.

Gap junctions are specialized plasma membrane domains consisting of channels formed by members of the connexin protein family. Gap junctional intercellular communication is often lost in cancers due to aberrant localization or downregulation of connexins, and connexins are therefore suggested to act as tumor suppressor genes in various tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and DNA promoter methylation status of connexins in colorectal cancer.

Inhibition of connexin 43 gap junction channels by the endocrine disruptor ioxynil.

Gap junctions are intercellular plasma membrane domains containing channels that mediate transport of ions, metabolites and small signaling molecules between adjacent cells. Gap junctions play important roles in a variety of cellular processes, including regulation of cell growth and differentiation, maintenance of tissue homeostasis and embryogenesis. The constituents of gap junction channels are a family of trans-membrane proteins called connexins, of which the best-studied is connexin 43.

Regulation of gap junction intercellular communication by the ubiquitin system.

Intercellular communication via gap junctions plays a critical role in numerous cellular processes, including the control of cell growth and differentiation, maintenance of tissue homeostasis and embryonic development. Gap junctions are aggregates of intercellular channels that enable adjacent cells in solid tissues to directly exchange ions and small molecules. These channels are formed by a family of integral membrane proteins called connexins, of which the best studied is connexin43.

Gap junction intercellular communication and benzene toxicity.

Aberrant regulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) has been linked to several human diseases, including cancer and abnormal hematopoietic development. Benzene exposure has been shown to cause hematotoxicity and leukemia, but the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. We have observed that several metabolites of benzene have the ability to block gap junction intercellular communication.

The B[a]P-increased intercellular communication via translocation of connexin-43 into gap junctions reduces apoptosis.

Gap junctions are channels in plasma membrane composed of proteins called connexins. These channels are organized in special domains between cells, and provide for direct gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), allowing diffusion of signalling molecules <1 kD. GJIC regulates cell homeostasis and notably the balance between proliferation, cell cycle arrest, cell survival and apoptosis.

Ubiquitylation of the gap junction protein connexin-43 signals its trafficking from early endosomes to lysosomes in a process mediated by Hrs and Tsg101.

Gap junctions are dynamic plasma membrane domains, and their protein constituents, the connexins, have a high turnover rate in most tissue types. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in degradation of gap junctions have remained largely unknown. Here, we show that ubiquitin is strongly relocalized to connexin-43 (Cx43; also known as Gja1) gap junction plaques in response to activation of protein kinase C.

Interplay between PKC and the MAP kinase pathway in Connexin43 phosphorylation and inhibition of gap junction intercellular communication.

Gap junction channels are made of a family proteins called connexins. The best-studied type of connexin, Connexin43 (Cx43), is phosphorylated at several sites in its C-terminus. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester TPA strongly inhibits Cx43 gap junction channels.

The benzene metabolite trans,trans-muconaldehyde blocks gap junction intercellular communication by cross-linking connexin43.

Benzene is used at large volumes in many different human activities. Hematotoxicity and cancer-causation as a result of benzene exposure was recognized many years ago, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Aberrant regulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) has been linked to both cancer induction and interference with normal hematopoietic development.

The detergent resistance of Connexin43 is lost upon TPA or EGF treatment and is an early step in gap junction endocytosis.

Gap junctions are plasma membrane domains containing channels that directly connect the cytosols of neighbouring cells. Gap junction channels are made of a family of transmembrane proteins called connexins, of which the best studied is Connexin43 (Cx43). MAP kinase-induced phosphorylation of Cx43 has previously been shown to cause inhibition of gap junction channel permeability and increased Cx43 endocytosis.

Ubiquitination of gap junction proteins.

Gap junctions are plasma membrane domains containing arrays of channels that exchange ions and small molecules between neighboring cells. Gap junctional intercellular communication enables cells to directly cooperate both electrically and metabolically. Several lines of evidence indicate that gap junctions are important in regulating cell growth and differentiation and for maintaining tissue homeostasis.

Downregulation of gap junctions in cancer cells.

Gap junctions are intercellular plasma membrane domains enriched in channels that allow direct exchange of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells. Gap junction channels are composed of a family of transmembrane proteins called connexin. Connexins play important roles in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation.

Endocytic processing of connexin43 gap junctions: a morphological study.

Gap junctions are plasma membrane areas enriched in channels that provide direct intercellular communication. Gap junctions have a high turnover rate; however, the mechanisms by which gap junctions are degraded are incompletely understood. In the present study, we show that in response to phorbol ester treatment, the gap junction channel protein Cx43 (connexin43) is redistributed from the plasma membrane to intracellular vesicles positive for markers for early and late endosomes and for the endolysosomal protease cathepsin D.

Benzene metabolites block gap junction intercellular communication. Role in hematotoxicity and leukemia?

A metabolite of benzene, trans,trans-muconaldehyde (MUC) was found to be a strong inhibitor of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) with potency similar to that of chlordane. Hydroquinone and the MUC metabolite OH-M-CHO were also strong inhibitors of GJIC. The other MUC metabolites tested, CHO-M-COOH and OH-M-COOH had weak effects on GJIC, while COOH-M-COOH had no effect.

Metabolites of benzene are potent inhibitors of gap-junction intercellular communication.

Chronic exposure to benzene has been shown to lead to bone marrow depression and the development of leukemia. The mechanism underlying the carcinogenicity of benzene is unknown, although a number of genetic changes including chromosomal aberrations have been associated with benzene toxicity. Metabolism of benzene is required for the induced toxicological effects.

Connexin43 synthesis, phosphorylation, and degradation in regulation of transient inhibition of gap junction intercellular communication by the phorbol ester TPA in rat liver epithelial cells.

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces transient inhibition of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in several cell types. The initial block in GJIC has been attributed to protein kinase C (PKC) mediated phosphorylation of connexin gap junction proteins, including connexin43 (Cx43). Restoration of GJIC, associated with normalization of the Cx43 phosphorylation status, has been ascribed to different events, including dephosphorylation of Cx43 and de novo synthesis of Cx43 or other, non-gap junctional, proteins.

Ubiquitination and down-regulation of gap junction protein connexin-43 in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate treatment.

Gap junctions are specialized plasma membrane domains enriched in connexin proteins that form channels between adjacent cells. Gap junctions are highly dynamic, and modulation of the connexin turnover rate is considered to play an important role in the regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication. In the present study, we show that the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induces ubiquitination of connexin-43 (Cx43) in IAR20 rat liver epithelial cells.