Open Access

Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Stephanie L. Phillips
    • Carly Bess Williams
    • Joelle N. Zambrano
    • Christina J. Williams
    • Elizabeth S. Yeh
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4114
  • Pages: 1005-1013
  • Copyright: © Phillips et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Connexin 43 is a prominent gap junction protein within normal human breast tissue. Thus far, there have been a number of research studies performed to determine the function of connexin 43 in breast tumor formation and progression. Within primary tumors, research suggests that the level of connexin 43 expression in breast tumors is altered when compared to normal human breast tissue. While some reports indicate that connexin 43 levels decrease, other evidence suggests that connexin 43 levels are increased and protein localization shifts from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. In either case, the prevailing theory is that breast tumor cells have reduced gap junction intercellular communication within primary tumors. The current consensus appears to be that the loss of connexin 43 gap junction intercellular communication is an early event in malignancy, with the possibility of gap junction restoration in the event of metastasis. However, additional evidence is needed to support the latter claim. The purpose of this report is to review the connexin 43 literature that describes studies using human tissue samples, in order to evaluate the function of connexin 43 protein in normal human breast tissue as well as the role of connexin 43 in human breast tumor formation and metastatic progression.
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October-2017
Volume 51 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Phillips SL, Williams CB, Zambrano JN, Williams CJ and Yeh ES: Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review). Int J Oncol 51: 1005-1013, 2017
APA
Phillips, S.L., Williams, C.B., Zambrano, J.N., Williams, C.J., & Yeh, E.S. (2017). Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 51, 1005-1013. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4114
MLA
Phillips, S. L., Williams, C. B., Zambrano, J. N., Williams, C. J., Yeh, E. S."Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 51.4 (2017): 1005-1013.
Chicago
Phillips, S. L., Williams, C. B., Zambrano, J. N., Williams, C. J., Yeh, E. S."Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 51, no. 4 (2017): 1005-1013. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4114