Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 651 Ilalo Street, BSB 222, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
J Membr Biol. 2012 Jul;245(7):389-400. doi: 10.1007/s00232-012-9461-3. Epub 2012 Jul 8.
Connexins comprise gap junction channels, which create a direct conduit between the cytoplasms of adjacent cells and provide for intercellular communication. Therefore, the level of total cellular connexin protein can have a direct influence on the level of intercellular communication. Control of connexin protein levels can occur through different mechanisms during the connexin life cycle, such as by regulation of connexin gene expression and turnover of existing protein. The degradation of connexins has been extensively studied, revealing proteasomal, endolysosomal and more recently autophagosomal degradation mechanisms that modulate connexin turnover and, subsequently, affect intercellular communication. Here, we review the current knowledge of connexin degradation pathways.
间隙连接蛋白构成间隙连接通道，在相邻细胞的细胞质之间形成直接的通道，从而实现细胞间通讯。因此，细胞总连接蛋白的水平可以直接影响细胞间通讯的水平。在连接蛋白的生命周期中，可以通过不同的机制来控制连接蛋白的水平，例如调节连接蛋白基因的表达和现有蛋白的周转率。连接蛋白的降解已经得到了广泛的研究，揭示了蛋白酶体、内溶酶体和最近的自噬体降解机制，这些机制调节连接蛋白的周转率，从而影响细胞间通讯。在这里，我们回顾了连接蛋白降解途径的最新知识。
