Connexin 43 in Mitochondria: What Do We Really Know About Its Function?

Kerstin Boengler; Luc Leybaert; Marisol Ruiz-Meana; Rainer Schulz

doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.928934

Connexin 43 in Mitochondria: What Do We Really Know About Its Function?

Front Physiol. 2022 Jul 4:13:928934. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.928934. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Kerstin Boengler¹, Luc Leybaert², Marisol Ruiz-Meana³, Rainer Schulz¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
² Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
³ Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract

Connexins are known for their ability to mediate cell-cell communication via gap junctions and also form hemichannels that pass ions and molecules over the plasma membrane when open. Connexins have also been detected within mitochondria, with mitochondrial connexin 43 (Cx43) being the best studied to date. In this review, we discuss evidence for Cx43 presence in mitochondria of cell lines, primary cells and organs and summarize data on its localization, import and phosphorylation status. We further highlight the influence of Cx43 on mitochondrial function in terms of respiration, opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and formation of reactive oxygen species, and also address the presence of a truncated form of Cx43 termed Gja1-20k. Finally, the role of mitochondrial Cx43 in pathological conditions, particularly in the heart, is discussed.

Keywords: GJA1-20k; connexin; hemichannel; ischemia-reperfusion injury; mitochondria; preconditioning.

Publication types

Review