Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-2-4
pubmed:abstractText
Cells within the vast majority of human tissues communicate directly through clustered arrays of intercellular channels called gap junctions. Gene ablation studies in mouse models have revealed that these intercellular channels are necessary for a variety of organ functions and that some of these genes are essential for survival. Molecular genetics has uncovered that germ line mutations in nearly half of the genes that encode the 21-member connexin family of gap junction proteins are linked to one or more human diseases. Frequently, these mutations are autosomal recessive, whereas in other cases, autosomal dominant mutations manifest as disease. Given the broad and overlapping distribution of connexins in a wide arrangement of tissues, it is hard to predict where connexin-linked diseases will clinically manifest. For instance, the most prevalent connexin in the human body is connexin-43 (Cx43), yet autosomal dominant mutations in the GJA1 gene, which encodes Cx43, exhibit modest developmental disorders resulting in a disease termed oculodentodigital dysplasia. Autosomal recessive mutations in the gene encoding Cx26 result in moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss, whereas autosomal dominant mutations produce hearing loss and a wide range of skin diseases, including palmoplantar keratoderma. Here, we will focus on autosomal dominant mutations of the genes encoding Cx26 and Cx43 in relation to models that link genotypes to phenotypic outcomes with particular reference to how these approaches provide insight into human disease.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0021-9258
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
8
pubmed:volume
283
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2997-3001
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Closing the gap on autosomal dominant connexin-26 and connexin-43 mutants linked to human disease.
pubmed:affiliation
Departments of Anatomy & Cell Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada. dale.laird@schulich.uwo.ca
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't