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      Roles and regulation of lens epithelial cell connexins.

      Febs Letters
      Animals, Cell Differentiation, Cell Proliferation, Connexins, genetics, metabolism, Epithelial Cells, cytology, physiology, Gap Junctions, Humans, Lens, Crystalline

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          Abstract

          The avascular lens of the eye is covered anteriorly by an epithelium containing nucleated, metabolically active cells. This epithelium contains the first lens cells to encounter noxious external stimuli and cells that can develop compensatory or protective responses. Lens epithelial cells express the gap junction proteins, connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin50 (Cx50). Cx43 and Cx50 form gap junction channels and hemichannels with different properties. Although they may form heteromeric hemichannels, Cx43 and Cx50 probably do not form heterotypic channels in the lens. Cx50 channels make their greatest contribution to intercellular communication during the early postnatal period; subsequently, Cx43 becomes the predominant connexin supporting intercellular communication. Although epithelial Cx43 appears dispensable for lens development, Cx50 is critical for epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Cx43 and Cx50 hemichannels and gap junction channels are regulated by multiple different agents. Lens epithelial cell connexins contribute to both normal lens physiology and pathology. Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          24434541
          3992928
          10.1016/j.febslet.2013.12.024

          Chemistry
          Animals,Cell Differentiation,Cell Proliferation,Connexins,genetics,metabolism,Epithelial Cells,cytology,physiology,Gap Junctions,Humans,Lens, Crystalline

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