The synchronized function of prostate cells depends on intercellular communication within multicellular compartments; its disturbance has long been suggested to be integral to prostate carcinogenesis. Some data point to stage-specific functions of connexins, which form intercellular gap junctions that are involved in the metabolic and electrical coupling of cells, in prostate cancer development. In this Review, the authors describe the functions of connexins and gap junctions during the different stages of prostate cancer development, in the context of the functional links between connexin expression and prostate cell differentiation.
- Jarosław Czyż
- Katarzyna Szpak
- Zbigniew Madeja
