cell-science-pharmacology-2017-posters-abstracts

Page 63

allied

academies

Cell Science, Stem Cell Research &

Pharmacological Regenerative Medicine

November 29-30, 2017 | Atlanta, USA

Annual Congress on

Adv cel sci tissue cul 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 2

he discovery of the gap junction structure, its functions and

the family of the connexin genes, has been basically ignored

by the major biological disciplines. These connexin genes code

for proteins that organize to form membrane-associated hemi-

channels, connexons, co-joinwith the connexons of neighboring

cells to form gap junctions. Gap junctions appeared in the early

evolution of the metazoan. Their fundamental functions, (e.g.,

to synchronize electrotonic andmetabolic functions of societies

of cells and to regulate cell proliferation, cell differentiation and

apoptosis), were accomplished via integrating the extra-cellular

triggering of intra-cellular signaling and therefore, regulating

gene expression. These functions have been documented

by genetic mutations of the connexin genes and by chemical

modulation of gap junctions. Via genetic alteration of connexins

in knock-out and transgenic mice, as well as inherited connexin

mutations in various human syndromes, the gap junction has

been shown to be directly linked to many normal cell functions

and multiple diseases, such as birth defects, reproductive,

neurological disorders, immune dysfunction and cancer.

Specifically, the modulation of gap junctional intercellular

communication (GJIC), either by increasing or decreasing

its functions by non-mutagenic chemicals or by oncogenes

or tumor suppressor genes in normal or initiated stem cells

and their progenitor cells, can have a major impact on tumor

promotion or cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy. The

overview of the roles of the gap junction in the evolution of

the metazoan and its potential in understanding a system view

of human health and aging and the diseases of aging will be

attempted.

The gap junction as a biological rosetta stone: Implications of evolution stem cells to homeostatic regulation

of health and disease in the barker hypothesis

James E Trosko

Michigan State University, USA