Centre of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Cell Tissue Res. 2018 Feb;371(2):213-222. doi: 10.1007/s00441-017-2736-3. Epub 2017 Nov 29.
Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein expressed in various tissues and organs of vertebrates. Besides functioning as a gap junction, Cx43 also regulates diverse cellular processes like cell growth and differentiation, cell migration, cell survival, etc. Cx43 is critical for normal cardiac functioning and is therefore abundantly expressed in cardiomyocytes. On the other hand, ATP-sensitive potassium (K) channels are metabolic sensors converting metabolic changes into electrical activity. These channels are important in maintaining the neurotransmitter release, smooth muscle relaxation, cardiac action potential repolarization, normal physiology of cellular repolarization, insulin secretion and immune function. Cx43 and K channels are part of the same signaling pathway, regulating cell survival during stress conditions and ischemia/hypoxia preconditioning. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for their combined role in ischemia/hypoxia preconditioning is largely unknown. The current review focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism responsible for the coordinated role of Cx43 and K channel protein in protecting cardiomyocytes against ischemia/hypoxia stress.
间隙连接蛋白 43（Cx43）是一种在脊椎动物的各种组织和器官中表达的缝隙连接蛋白。除了作为缝隙连接外，Cx43 还调节多种细胞过程，如细胞生长和分化、细胞迁移、细胞存活等。Cx43 对正常心脏功能至关重要，因此在心肌细胞中大量表达。另一方面，三磷酸腺苷敏感钾（K）通道是代谢传感器，可将代谢变化转化为电活动。这些通道对于维持神经递质释放、平滑肌松弛、心脏动作电位复极化、细胞复极化的正常生理学、胰岛素分泌和免疫功能非常重要。Cx43 和 K 通道是同一信号通路的一部分，在应激条件和缺血/缺氧预处理期间调节细胞存活。然而，它们在缺血/缺氧预处理中联合作用的潜在分子机制在很大程度上尚不清楚。本综述的重点是了解负责 Cx43 和 K 通道蛋白在保护心肌细胞免受缺血/缺氧应激中的协调作用的分子机制。
