Stanislaw Sulkowski(1), Mariola Sulkowska(1), Elzbieta Skrzydlewska(2)

Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication and Carcinogenesis*

1)Department of Pathological Anatomy,
2)Department of Analytical Chemistry, University School of Medical Sciences, Bialystok

Abstract

Intercellular communications are indispensable for the maintenance of homeostasis in the multicellular organisms. Gap-type junctions are one of the most common and perhaps most interesting intercellular connections. Of various communication systems gap junctional intercellular communication is the only means for cells to directly exchange signals. Substantial progress has recently been made in the studies on the role of gap junctions both in experimental and human tumorigenesis. The present study is a review of the potential mechanisms associated with gap junctional cellular communication included in non-genotoxic tumorigenesis.

Address for correspondence and reprint requests to:
S. Sulkowski M. D.,
Department of Pathological Anatomy,
Waszyngtona 13, 15-269 Bialystok 8.
Tel./Fax 004885 7420280
Email: sulek@amb.ac.bialystok.pl,

*This study was supported by the State Committee on Research grant No4 PO5C 04015.