Connexin 31.1 Proteins

Protein Information

The connexin family of proteins form hexameric complexes, called connexons, that facilitate movement of low molecular weight proteins between cells via gap junctions. Connexin proteins share a common topology of four transmembrane α-helical domains, two extracellular loops, a cytoplasmic loop and cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. Many of the key functional differences arise from specific amino acid substitutions in the most highly conserved domains; the transmembrane and extracellular regions. Connexin 31.1, Cx31.1 or Gap junction beta-5 protein, is a 271 amino acid protein that is predominantly expressed in skin with lower expression in testis. Expression of connexin 31.1 is required for normal placental development in mice. Down-regulation of the connexin 31.1 gene correlates with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and therefore it may be a potential therapeutic target.

Synonyms

Cnx31.1; connexin 31.1; connexin-31.1; Cx31.1; Cxn-31.1; Gap junction beta-5 protein; gap junction membrane channel protein beta 5; gap junction protein beta 5; gap junction protein, beta 5; gap junction protein, beta 5 (connexin 31.1); gap junction protein, beta 5, 31.1kDa; gap junctional protein cx31.1; GJB5; Gjb-5