Abstract:
Introduction: Gap junctions connect the cytoplasm of two neighboring
cells. Pannexins and connexins produce gap junctions, and allow the flow
of ions, small metabolites between cells. The absence of gap junctions
between tumor cells is linked to the initiation and progression of cancer. Purpose: To highlight the functions of gap junctions in cancerogenesis
and to understand better the role of gap junctions in cancer development. Material and methods: We searched PubMed, NCBI, Research
Gate, frontiersin, Science Direct, and Oxford Academic for all relevant
material published until May 31, 2022. Results: Gap junctions are typically downregulated in cancer cells, and
numerous lines of evidence show that loss of gap junctional intercellular
communication is a key stage in carcinogenesis. Retrieving the
intercellular communication has shown to reduce cancer growth and
induce normal and controlled cell growth. Determining the mechanisms
involved in connexin downregulation during carcinogenesis will be an
important step in prevention and therapy of cancer. According to the
connexin under examination, connexin expression was either up- or
downregulated in relation to the cancer's histological subtype. Poor
survival was linked with nuclear localization of Cx43. Conclusions:
• Connexins plays an important role in inhibition of
carcinogenesis and regulation of cell growth.
• The downregulation of connexin increased cancer
formation and intensified metastasis, while
overexpression suppressed tumor formation and
metastasis.
