The role of connexin43-Src interaction in astrocytomas: A molecular puzzle
- PMID: 25711938
- DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.02.029
The role of connexin43-Src interaction in astrocytomas: A molecular puzzle
Abstract
Connexin43 (Cx43) as a building block of gap junction channels and hemichannels exerts important functions in astrocytes. When these cells acquire a malignant phenotype Cx43 protein but not mRNA levels are downregulated, being negligible in high-grade astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and deadliest of malignant primary brain tumors in adults. Some microRNAs associated to glioma target Cx43 and could explain the lack of correlation between mRNA and protein levels of Cx43 found in some high-grade astrocytomas. More importantly, these microRNAs could be a promising therapeutic target. A great number of studies have confirmed the relationship between cancer and connexins that was proposed by Loewenstein more than 40years ago, but these studies have also revealed that this is a very complex relationship. Indeed, restoring Cx43 to glioma cells reduces their rate of proliferation and their tumorigenicity but this tumor suppressor effect could be counterbalanced by its effects on invasiveness, adhesion and migration. The mechanisms underlying these effects suggest the participation of a great variety of proteins that bind to different regions of Cx43. The present review focuses on an intrinsically disordered region of the C-terminal domain of Cx43 in which converges the interaction of several proteins, including the proto-oncogene Src. We summarize data that indicate that Cx43-Src interaction inhibits the oncogenic activity of Src and promotes a conformational change in the structure of Cx43 that allosterically modifies the binding to other important signaling proteins. As a consequence, crucial cell functions, such as proliferation or migration, could be strongly affected. We propose that the knowledge of the structural basis of the antitumorigenic effect of Cx43 on astrocytomas could help to design new therapies against this incurable disease.
Keywords: Src; connexin; glioma; glucose uptake; migration; proliferation.
Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Similar articles
-
A cell-penetrating peptide based on the interaction between c-Src and connexin43 reverses glioma stem cell phenotype.Cell Death Dis. 2014 Jan 23;5(1):e1023. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2013.560. Cell Death Dis. 2014. PMID: 24457967 Free PMC article.
-
Connexin43 recruits PTEN and Csk to inhibit c-Src activity in glioma cells and astrocytes.Oncotarget. 2016 Aug 2;7(31):49819-49833. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.10454. Oncotarget. 2016. PMID: 27391443 Free PMC article.
-
Opposing roles of connexin43 in glioma progression.Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Aug;1818(8):2058-67. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.10.022. Epub 2011 Oct 29. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012. PMID: 22063721 Review.
-
Complex role of connexin 43 in astrocytic tumors and possible promotion of glioma‑associated epileptic discharge (Review).Mol Med Rep. 2017 Dec;16(6):7890-7900. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7618. Epub 2017 Sep 26. Mol Med Rep. 2017. PMID: 28983585 Review.
-
Regulation of connexin43 protein complexes by intracellular acidification.Circ Res. 2004 Feb 6;94(2):215-22. doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000113924.06926.11. Epub 2003 Dec 29. Circ Res. 2004. PMID: 14699011
Cited by
-
Connexin 43 Modulates the Cellular Resistance to Paclitaxel via Targeting β-Tubulin in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.Onco Targets Ther. 2020 Jun 10;13:5323-5335. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S229076. eCollection 2020. Onco Targets Ther. 2020. PMID: 32606750 Free PMC article.
-
Surfen-mediated blockade of extratumoral chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans inhibits glioblastoma invasion.FASEB J. 2019 Nov;33(11):11973-11992. doi: 10.1096/fj.201802610RR. Epub 2019 Aug 9. FASEB J. 2019. PMID: 31398290 Free PMC article.
-
Biotinylated Cell-penetrating Peptides to Study Intracellular Protein-protein Interactions.J Vis Exp. 2017 Dec 20;(130):56457. doi: 10.3791/56457. J Vis Exp. 2017. PMID: 29286477 Free PMC article.
-
Cx32 exerts anti-apoptotic and pro-tumor effects via the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2019 Apr 4;38(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s13046-019-1142-y. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2019. PMID: 30947731 Free PMC article.
-
The Novel Roles of Connexin Channels and Tunneling Nanotubes in Cancer Pathogenesis.Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Apr 24;19(5):1270. doi: 10.3390/ijms19051270. Int J Mol Sci. 2018. PMID: 29695070 Free PMC article. Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical
Research Materials
Miscellaneous