Tanshinone IIA increases the bystander effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir gene therapy via enhanced gap junctional intercellular communication.
AuthorsXiao J, Zhang G, Qiu P, Liu X, Wu Y, Du B, Li J, Zhou J, Li J, Tan Y,
Journal
PubMed ID23861780
'The bystander effect is an intriguing phenomenon by which adjacent cells become sensitized to drug treatment during gene therapy with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV). This effect is reported to be mediated by gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), and therefore, we postulated that upregulation of genes that facilitate GJIC ... More
Genetic ablation of the fatty acid-binding protein FABP5 suppresses HER2-induced mammary tumorigenesis.
AuthorsLevi L, Lobo G, Doud MK, von Lintig J, Seachrist D, Tochtrop GP, Noy N,
Journal
PubMed ID23722546
The fatty acid-binding protein FABP5 shuttles ligands from the cytosol to the nuclear receptor PPARß/d (encoded for by Ppard), thereby enhancing the transcriptional activity of the receptor. This FABP5/PPARd pathway is critical for induction of proliferation of breast carcinoma cells by activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this study, ... More
Role of gap junctions in fluid secretion of lacrimal glands.
AuthorsWalcott B, Moore LC, Birzgalis A, Claros N, Valiunas V, Ott T, Willecke K, Brink PR,
JournalAm J Physiol Cell Physiol
PubMed ID11832335
In glands such as the liver and pancreas, gap junctions containing connexin 26 and 32 (Cx26 and Cx32, respectively) couple the secretory cells. Uncoupling these junctions compromises the secretory function of these glands. Lacrimal glands also contain extensive arrays of gap junctions consisting of Cx26 and Cx32. We wanted to ... More
Neuronal connexin expression in the cochlear nucleus of big brown bats.
AuthorsHorowitz SS, Stamper SA, Simmons JA,
JournalBrain Res
PubMed ID18241843
We present immunohistochemical data describing the presence and distribution of connexins, structural component of gap junctions, in the cochlear nuclei of adult big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Echolocating big brown bats show microsecond scale echo-delay sensitivity that requires accurate synchronization of neuronal responses to the timing of echoes. Midbrain and ... More
The relationship between connexins, gap junctions, tissue architecture and tumour invasion, as studied in a novel in vitro model of HPV-16-associated cervical cancer progression.
AuthorsAasen T, Hodgins MB, Edward M, Graham SV,
JournalOncogene
PubMed ID12970745
Disruption of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and/or connexins (gap junction proteins) is frequently reported in malignant cell lines and tumours. Certain human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with the development of cancers, especially of the cervix, have previously been reported to downregulate GJIC in vitro. There is also evidence for reduced ... More
Localization of connexin26 and connexin32 in putative CO(2)-chemosensitive brainstem regions in rat.
Recent studies have suggested that cell-to-cell coupling, which occurs via gap junctions, may play a role in CO(2) chemoreception. Here, we used immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses to investigate the presence, distribution, and cellular localization of the gap junction proteins connexin26 (Cx26) and connexin32 (Cx32) in putative CO(2)-chemosensitive brainstem regions in ... More