The role of the gap junction protein connexin32 in the pathogenesis of X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Abstract

Mutations in the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32; beta 1) cause the X-linked form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX), a common form of inherited demyelinating neuropathy. Cx32 is localized to the paranodes and incisures of myelinating Schwann cells, and probably participates in the formation of gap junctions at these locations, thereby allowing the diffusion of ions and small molecules directly across the myelin sheath. In transfected cells different CMTX mutations have different effects on the ability of the mutant protein to form functional gap junctions; some mutant proteins cannot be detected within the cell, other mutant proteins accumulate within the cell but do not reach the cell membrane, while other mutants reach the cell membrane and some of these form functional gap junctions. In transgenic mice two mutants, R142W and 175 frameshift, have similar effects on protein trafficking as in transfected cells: the R142W mutant protein remains in the perinuclear region and does not reach the paranodes or incisures, and the 175 frameshift protein cannot be detected. Thus, different CMTX mutations have different effects on Cx32 protein, and these differences may help to explain the phenotypic differences seen in CMTX kindreds.