Gap junction as an intercellular glue: Emerging roles in cancer EMT and metastasis

Abstract

Metastasis is a common phenomenon in the progression and dissemination of cancer. It is estimated that metastasis accounts for 90% cancer-related mortality. Although the formation of tumor metastasis is relatively well understood, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the emergence of aggressive cancer phenotype are still elusive. Figuring out the mechanisms by which cancer cells evade from the tumor is beneficial for obtaining novel and effectively therapeutic approaches. Primary tumors are composed of various subpopulations of cells with heterogeneous metastatic characteristics and the occurrence of metastatic dissemination is mainly dependent upon the interactions between tumor and the surrounding microenvironment. Tumor microenvironment (TME) such as extracellular matrix, macrophages, fibroblasts, stem cells and endothelial cells can orchestrate events critical to tumor evolution toward metastasis. GJ serves as an important communication between tumor cells and stromal cells. Increased GJs coupling blocks metastatic potential in some cancer animal models such as breast cancer and melanoma. Besides, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is also a crucial step in the metastatic process and there are signs that GJs contribute to cell adhesion and migration (the pathological feature of EMT) in breast cancer. Therefore, we propose that GJ serves as an intercellular glue to suppress EMT and cancer metastasis.

Keywords: Cancer metastasis; Connexin; Epithelial–mesenchymal transition; Gap junction; Tumor microenvironment.