Managing the complexity of communication; regulation of gap junctions by post-translational modification

Gap junctions are comprised of connexins that form cell-to-cell channels which couple neighboring cells to accommodate the exchange of information. The need for communication does, however, change over time and therefore must be tightly controlled. Although the regulation of connexin protein express...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lene Nygaard Axelsen (Author), Kirstine eCalloe (Author), Niels-Henrik eHo (Author), Morten Schak Nielsen (Author)
Format: Book
Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2013-10-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:Gap junctions are comprised of connexins that form cell-to-cell channels which couple neighboring cells to accommodate the exchange of information. The need for communication does, however, change over time and therefore must be tightly controlled. Although the regulation of connexin protein expression by transcription and translation is of great importance, the trafficking, channel activity and degradation are also under tight control. The function of connexins can be regulated by several post translational modifications, which affect numerous parameters; including number of channels, open probability, single channel conductance or selectivity. The most extensively investigated post translational modifications are phosphorylations, which have been documented in all mammalian connexins. Besides phosphorylations, some connexins are known to be ubiquitinated, SUMOylated, nitrosylated, hydroxylated, acetylated, methylated and γ-carboxyglutamated. The aim of the present review is to summarize our current knowledge of post translational regulation of the connexin family of proteins.
Item Description:1663-9812
10.3389/fphar.2013.00130