Connexins and Diabetes
نویسندگان
چکیده
Cell-to-cell interactions via gap junctional communication and connexon hemichannels are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Gap junctions are highly specialized transmembrane structures that are formed by connexon hemichannels, which are further assembled from proteins called "connexins." In this paper, we discuss current knowledge about connexins in diabetes. We also discuss mechanisms of connexin influence and the role of individual connexins in various tissues and how these are affected in diabetes. Connexins may be a future target by both genetic and pharmacological approaches to develop treatments for the treatment of diabetes and its complications.
منابع مشابه
Upregulation of Connexins 30 and 32 Gap Junctions in Rat Hippocampus at Transcription Level by Chronic Central Injection of Lipopolysaccharide
Background: Gap junctions composed of connexins (Cx) are functional in cell defense by propagation of toxic/death molecules to neighboring cells. Hippocampus, one of the brain regions with particular vulnerability to damage, has a wide network of gap junctions. Functional response of astrocytic Cx30 and neuronal Cx32 to hippocampal damage is unknown. Methods: We infused lipopolysaccharide (LPS)...
متن کاملIntracerebroventricular Injection of Lipopolysaccharide Increases Gene Expression of Connexin32 Gap Junction in Rat Hippocampus
Introduction: Gap junctions are intercellular membrane channels that provide direct cytoplasmic continuity between adjacent cells. This communication can be affected by changes in expression of gap junctional subunits called Connexins (Cx). Changes in the expression and function of connexins are associated with number of brain neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of vario...
متن کاملThe Role of Connexins in Wound Healing and Repair: Novel Therapeutic Approaches
Gap junctions are intercellular proteins responsible for mediating both electrical and biochemical coupling through the exchange of ions, second messengers and small metabolites. They consist of two connexons, with (one) connexon supplied by each cell. A connexon is a hexamer of connexins and currently more than 20 connexin isoforms have been described in the literature thus far. Connexins have...
متن کاملExpression of matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and connexins in diabetic and nondiabetic human keratinocytes before and after transplantation into an ex vivo wound-healing model.
OBJECTIVE Wound healing is known to require a well-organized balance of numerous factors, e.g., cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and their inhibitors, as well as direct cell-cell communication (connexins). Disruption of this balance may lead to the formation of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The transplantation of autologous keratinocytes is a promising therapy for dia...
متن کاملConnexins protect mouse pancreatic β cells against apoptosis.
Type 1 diabetes develops when most insulin-producing β cells of the pancreas are killed by an autoimmune attack. The in vivo conditions modulating the sensitivity and resistance of β cells to this attack remain largely obscure. Here, we show that connexin 36 (Cx36), a trans-membrane protein that forms gap junctions between β cells in the pancreatic islets, protects mouse β cells against both cy...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
دوره 2012 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2012