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Connexins: Bridging the Gap Between Cancer Cell Communication in Glioblastoma

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Book cover Intercellular Communication in Cancer

Abstract

Despite concerted clinical and research efforts, glioblastoma (GBM), the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumor, remains uniformly lethal. Like other advanced cancers, GBM is characterized by extensive cellular heterogeneity and is organized in a hierarchy with self-renewing, therapeutically resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the apex. While communication between GBM tumor cells and their surrounding stroma supports tumor survival and expansion, the mechanisms behind direct cell-cell communication and its contribution to tumor growth have yet to be fully elucidated. In particular, the biological importance of intercellular communication between GBM tumor cells, including CSCs and non-stem tumor cells (NSTCs) has yet to be determined. Gap junctions (GJs) are specialized structures, composed of connexin proteins, allowing for the diffusion of small molecules and ions directly between the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, enabling them to respond to each other and external stimuli rapidly and coordinately. Connexins have been found to help promote tumor cell growth, invasiveness, and tumorigenicity, making them attractive anti-tumor targets. However a complete understanding of the function of connexins and GJs in GBM remains an area of active investigation. Here we discuss recent advances in connexin function as they relate to our understanding of cellular communication and malignancy in GBM.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors wish to disclose that they do not have any relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Maksim Sinyuk & Justin D. Lathia

  2. Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Maksim Sinyuk & Justin D. Lathia

  3. Department of Molecular Medicine, Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Justin D. Lathia

  4. Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Justin D. Lathia

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  1. Maksim Sinyuk
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Correspondence to Justin D. Lathia .

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  1. Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Mustapha Kandouz

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Sinyuk, M., Lathia, J.D. (2015). Connexins: Bridging the Gap Between Cancer Cell Communication in Glioblastoma. In: Kandouz, M. (eds) Intercellular Communication in Cancer. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7380-5_2

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