Connexin 43 and tumors

Cell gap junction is a special protein channel. Gap junction-mediated exchange of information between cells is crucial for cell growth, differentiation and tissue homeostasis. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is one of the members of the gap junction protein family. In recent years, researches show that abnormal Cx43 gene expression leads to the cell gap junctional communication dysfunction, which is closely related to the occurrence, metastasis and prognosis of a variety of tumors. Cx43 is expected to become a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Key words: Connexin 43; Neoplasms; Cell communication