Review Article
Connexin’s Connection in Breast Cancer Growth and Progression
Table 2
The connexins and their expression, localization, and function in normal breast and breast tumor.
| Connexin | Normal breast | Breast tumor | Expression | Function | Expression | Function |
| Cx26 | Luminal epithelial cells | Luminal cell proliferation Production of milk | Downregulated in primary tumor Upregulated in metastatic tissue | | Cx43 | Myoepithelial cells Decreased during mid-pregnancy and lactation | Proper production and ejection of milk | Downregulated in primary tumor Upregulated in metastatic tissue | Increases invasion, adhesion of tumor cells | Cx30 | Mouse luminal epithelial cells Peak expression at the onset of lactation | Lactation Compensates for impaired Cx32 | | | Cx32 | Mouse luminal epithelial cells Increased expression at parturition | Production of milk Compensates for impaired Cx30 function | Increased expression at metastatic lymph node | | Cx46 | Expression not reported in mouse or human normal breast | | Expressed in primary tumor | May protect tumor cells from hypoxia induced death |
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