Lack of canonical activities of connexins in highly aggressive human prostate cancer cells

Connexins (Cxs) have the ability to form channels that allow the exchange of ions/metabolites between adjacent cells (gap junction channels, GJC) or between the intra- and extra-cellular compartments (hemichannels, HC). Cxs were initially classified as tumor suppressors. However, more recently, it has been shown that Cxs exert anti- and pro-tumorigenic effects depending on the cell and tissue context. In prostate cancer (PCa), the expression and functionality of Cxs remain highly controversial. Here, we analyzed the expression pattern of Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45 in PCa cell lines with increasing levels of tumor aggressiveness (LNCaP