中文摘要：

由连接蛋白构成的细胞间隙连接通讯（GJIC）广泛存在于脊椎动物中，可以直接介导细胞间小分子物质的传递，而不需要通过细胞间质。GJIC与肿瘤密切相关，多数肿瘤GJIC能力降低或丧失，连接蛋白不表达或胞内定位，而恢复GJIC可以抑制肿瘤，GJIC已成为肿瘤预防与治疗研究的潜在靶点之一。

英文摘要：

Gap junction channels, composed of the connexin protein family with a number of isoforms, are responsible for direct intercellular transfer of small hydrosoluble molecules 〈1-2kDa, such as irons, cAMP, IP3 and so on. In vertebrates, only a few cell types do not form gap junctions in their fully differentiated state, including red blood cells, spermatozoa, and skeletal muscle. In cancer, loss of these types of cell interaction has been reported to facilitate tumorigenesis. Indeed, many human tumor lines demonstrate deficient or aberrant Gap junction intercellular communication and/or loss of connexin expression and/or cytoplasmic localization of connexins. Restoration of exogenous connexin expression and Gap junction intercellular function is correlated with increased cell growth control both in vitro and in vivo. Many studies strongly suggest that Gap junction intercellular communication serves a tumor suppressor role. Now connexins become a potential anti-oncogenic target for cancer prevention and therapy.