Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus; Neuroscience Laboratory, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Neuroscience Laboratory, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Neurosci Lett. 2015 Jun 2;596:27-32. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.10.033. Epub 2014 Oct 24.
Gap junctions (GJs) have emerged as an important molecular component of peripheral myelinated fibers following the discovery of mutations affecting the GJ protein connexin32 (Cx32) in patients with the X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT1X). CMT1X is the second most common CMT form and is caused by over 400 different mutations in the GJB1 gene encoding Cx32. In peripheral nerves, Cx32 is expressed by Schwann cells and forms reflexive GJs through non-compact myelin areas, which allow the diffusion of ions and small molecules including second messengers across apposed cell membranes connecting directly the Schwann cell perinuclear cytoplasm with the adaxonal cell compartment inside the myelin sheath. GJs formed by Cx32 play an important role in the homeostasis of myelinated axons. Patients with CMT1X typically present with a progressive peripheral neuropathy characterized by mixed demyelinating and axonal features electrophysiologically and pathologically, which may be accompanied by transient or chronic CNS myelin dysfunction. Both in vitro and in vivo models of the disease indicate that most Cx32 mutations cause loss of function and inability of the mutant Cx32 to form functional GJs. Increased understanding of CMT1X pathogenesis will lead to the development of effective therapies for this currently incurable disease.
缝隙连接(GJ)在发现影响 X 连锁遗传性运动感觉神经病(CMT1X)患者 GJ 蛋白连接蛋白 32(Cx32)的突变后,成为周围髓鞘纤维的重要分子成分。CMT1X 是第二常见的 CMT 形式,是由 GJB1 基因编码的 Cx32 超过 400 种不同突变引起的。在周围神经中,Cx32 由施万细胞表达,并通过非致密髓鞘区形成反射性 GJ,允许离子和小分子(包括第二信使)扩散穿过直接连接施万细胞核周质与髓鞘内轴突细胞隔室的相邻细胞膜。由 Cx32 形成的 GJ 在髓鞘轴突的稳态中发挥重要作用。CMT1X 患者通常表现为进行性周围神经病,电生理和病理上表现为混合脱髓鞘和轴突特征,可能伴有短暂或慢性中枢神经系统髓鞘功能障碍。疾病的体外和体内模型均表明,大多数 Cx32 突变导致功能丧失和突变 Cx32 无法形成功能性 GJ。对 CMT1X 发病机制的深入了解将导致为这种目前无法治愈的疾病开发有效的治疗方法。