Review
Version 1
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Cytomembrane Trafficking Pathways of Connexin 26, 30 and 43: Recent Updates
Version 1
: Received: 15 May 2023 / Approved: 16 May 2023 / Online: 16 May 2023 (11:41:45 CEST)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Zong, Y.-J.; Liu, X.-Z.; Tu, L.; Sun, Y. Cytomembrane Trafficking Pathways of Connexin 26, 30, and 43. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 10349. Zong, Y.-J.; Liu, X.-Z.; Tu, L.; Sun, Y. Cytomembrane Trafficking Pathways of Connexin 26, 30, and 43. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 10349.
Abstract
The connexin gene family is the most prevalent gene that contributes to hearing loss. Connexins 26 and 30, encoded by GJB2 and GJB6 respectively, are the most abundant expressed connexins in the inner ear. Connexin 43 which is encoded by GJA1 appears to be widely expressed in various organs, including the heart, skin, brain, and inner ear. The mutations that arise in GJB2, GJB6 and GJA1 can all result in comprehensive or non-comprehensive genetic deafness in newborns. As it is predicted that connexins include at least 20 isoforms in humans, the biosynthesis, structural composition, and degradation of connexins must be precisely regulated so that the gap junctions can operate properly. Certain mutations result in connexins possessing a faulty subcellular localization, failing to transport to the cell membrane and preventing gap junction formation, ultimately leading to connexin dysfunction and hearing loss. In this review, we provide a discussion of the transport models for connexin 43, connexins 30 and 26, mutations affecting trafficking pathways of connexin 26, the existing controversies in trafficking pathways of connexins, and the molecules involved in connexin trafficking and their functions. This review can contribute to a new way of understanding the etiological principles of connexin mutations and finding therapeutic strategies for hereditary deafness.
Keywords
connexin 43; connexin 30; connexin 26; gap junctions; transport
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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