Dr. Annelise Nguyen's laboratory
"Cancer cells exhibit many defects in cell-cell communication that contribute to the loss of cell stability (excess cell growth). One type of cell-cell communication is through gap junctions. Gap junctions are small channels that allow small molecules to enter cells. Cancerous colon cells have a high level of gap junction activity compared to normal colon cells. Gap junction activity can be regulated through an enzyme called protein kinase C (PKC). My laboratory investigates the role of PKC in the regulation of gap junction activity in colon cancer cells. Understanding how gap junctions are controlled in colon cancer cells may help find the key players in regulating cancer cells."
