Connexins: Synthesis, Post-Translational Modifications, and Trafficking in Health and Disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Trond Aasen, Autonomous University of Barcelona; Scott Johnstone, University of Virginia; Laia Vidal-Brime, Autonomous University of Barcelona; K. Sabrina Lynn, Emory University; Michael H Koval, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-05-01
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051296
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• ISSN: 1661-6596
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 1296
• End Page: 1296
• Grant/Funding Information: Supported by NIH R01-AA025854 and R01-HL137112 (Michael Koval) and F31-HL139109 (K. Sabrina Lynn).; Trond Aasen acknowledges support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III grants PI13/00763, PI16/00772 and CPII16/00042, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
• Keywords: transcription; MUSCLE-CELL PROLIFERATION; LIVER EPITHELIAL-CELLS; post-translational modifications; Chemistry; IRES-MEDIATED TRANSLATION; CHEMICAL-SHIFT ASSIGNMENTS; Science & Technology; HUMAN GLIOBLASTOMA CELLS; translation; CATARACT-ASSOCIATED MUTANT; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; GAP-JUNCTION PROTEIN; CARBOXYL-TERMINAL DOMAIN; gap junctions; Physical Sciences; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITOR; trafficking; MARIE-TOOTH-DISEASE; connexins
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Pathology

Abstract

Connexins are tetraspan transmembrane proteins that form gap junctions and facilitate direct intercellular communication, a critical feature for the development, function, and homeostasis of tissues and organs. In addition, a growing number of gap junction-independent functions are being ascribed to these proteins. The connexin gene family is under extensive regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, and undergoes numerous modifications at the protein level, including phosphorylation, which ultimately affects their trafficking, stability, and function. Here, we summarize these key regulatory events, with emphasis on how these affect connexin multifunctionality in health and disease.