Biochemistry Graduate Seminar
Monday, November 2, 2009
Lecture at 4:30 p.m. in Burt Hall 114
Coffee at 4:15 p.m. in Chalmers 168
Ying Ding
Gap Junction Proteins in Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a very serious disease which threatens the health of women all over the world. It ranks as the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women. Previous studies have shown that the gap junction proteins, connexins, play an important role in cancer formation and metastasis. Connexins are the basic protein components that assemble to form gap junction thereby promoting intercellular communication (GJIC). Besides the well-known breast cancer associated connexins, Cx26 and Cx43, we found a different gap junction protein, Cx46, in breast cancer cells. Unlike Cx43, which is significantly decreased in cancer cells, Cx46 is highly expressed in breast cancer cells. Studying the mechanism of action of Cx46 may provide a new target for drug development.