Selected Papers from ‘International Colloquium on Gap Junctions and Cancer’

Dear Colleagues,

With very few exceptions (some neurons, red blood cells, spermatozoids, skeletal muscle fibers), all cells of our body are able to exchange cytosolic ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, etc) and small hydrophilic molecules (for example cAMP, IP₃) through particular membrane structures, the gap junctions. These structures are made of transmembrane proteins, called “connexins”, which form intercellular channels permitting the free passage of those ions and molecules (< 1200 Da). The gap junctional intercellular communication appears to be a very fundamental pathway involved in development and many physiological aspects of the organism. Since their description, dysfunction of gap junctions has been shown to be causative of several hereditary human diseases (deafness, skin pathologies, etc.). However, the first pathological process which was associated with a defect of gap junctional intercellular communication was cancer. This correlation was initially observed by Loewenstein and Kanno in liver cancer cells [Intercellular communication and the control of tissue growth: lack of communication between cancer cells, Nature, 116 (1966) 1248-1249]. This germinal work was at the origin of tremendous studies confirming that the lack of gap junctions disturbs tissue homeostasis and favors tumor growth. From this time, the involvement of gap junctions in cancer became more complicated since connexins can either be putative tumor suppressors or pro-invasive factors depending on the stages of tumor progression.

In 2016, we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the germinal work of Loewenstein and Kanno by organizing an “International Colloquium on Gap Junctions and Cancer”, which gathered actors of this field of research at the University of Poitiers (France). Four years after the success of this colloquium, we propose a second edition that will be organized as a collaborative effort between France (University of Poitiers) and Brazil (University of Sao Paulo). This colloquium will present the most recent findings made in the field of gap junctions, connexins, pannexins (connexin-related proteins) and cancer. Basic findings and molecular insights will be key factors for the discovery of possible new cancer approaches. Speakers and attendees are invited to submit research articles or reviews to the special issue of “Cells” dedicated to this colloquium.

Prof. Marc Mesnil
Prof. Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
Guest Editors

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• gap junctions
• connexins
• pannexins
• cancer progression
• cancer invasion
• cancer therapeutics