Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Xiao‑Fei Zhang
    • Xiaofeng Cui
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 3, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.903
  • Pages: 605-611
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Gap junctions are tightly packed intercellular channels that serve a common purpose of allowing the intercellular exchange of small metabolites, second messengers and electrical signals. Connexins (Cxs) are gap junction proteins. Currently, 20 and 21 members of Cxs have been characterized in mice and humans, respectively. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitously expressed type of Cx in the skin. It is produced by various different types of skin cell, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial and basal cells, melanocytes and dermal papilla cells. At present, more evidence indicates that Cx43 has an important role in skin repair and skin tumor development, as well as in skin cell invasion and metastasis. In this review, current knowledge regarding the regulation and function of Cx43 is summarized and the therapeutic potential of regulating Cx43 activity is discussed.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June-2017
Volume 6 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Zhang XF and Zhang XF: Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin (Review). Biomed Rep 6: 605-611, 2017
APA
Zhang, X., & Zhang, X. (2017). Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin (Review). Biomedical Reports, 6, 605-611. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.903
MLA
Zhang, X., Cui, X."Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin (Review)". Biomedical Reports 6.6 (2017): 605-611.
Chicago
Zhang, X., Cui, X."Connexin 43: Key roles in the skin (Review)". Biomedical Reports 6, no. 6 (2017): 605-611. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2017.903