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  • Cancer du Testicule
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Localisation aberrante de la connexine 43 dans le cancer du testicule

Aberrant localization of connexin 43 in testicular cancer

Andrologie volume 11, pages 56–62 (2001)Cite this article

Résumé

La communication intercellulaire via les jonctions gap (GJIC, pour «Gap Jonction Intercellular Communication») est un mode ubiquitaire de dialogue entre les cellules. Il participe au contrôle de la prolifération cellulaire. Des troubles de l’expression des connexines (Cx), les protéines transmembranaires constitutives de ces canaux intercellulaires, ont souvent été associés au phénotype malin. Dans le tube séminifère, la Cx43 est exprimée majoritairement par les cellules de Sertoli et les cellules germinales basales. L’expression de la Cx43 a été étudiée dans une série de 4 cancers du testicule comprenant une prolifération séminomateuse exclusive, à un stade T1-2 N0 M0. Les transcrits et la protéine analysés par RT-PCR et Western blot, ont été retrouvés dans tous les cas, à la taille attendue. La protéine étudiée par immunofluorescence indirecte était délocalisée au sein du cytoplasme, non exprimée à la membrane, excluant sa participation à une éventuelle GJIC. La signification de cette localisation aberrante de la Cx43 est discutée dans le cadre des relations GJIC/tumorigenèse.

Abstract

Most cells can communicate directly via gap junction channels. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) participates in the control of cell proliferation. Abnormal expression of connexins (Cx), the constitutive proteins of gap junctions, has been associated with a transformed phenotype. In the seminiferous tubules, connexin Cx43 is predominantly expressed by Sertoli cell and germinal cell membranes. We studied Cx43 expression in four testicular cancers (pure seminoma). Cx43 mRNA and protein characterized by RT PCR and Western blot were found to be similar to controls (normal testes) in each case. However, immunofluorscence study of Cx43 protein indicated a cytoplasmic localization with no membrane expression, excluding the participation of Cx43 in GJIC. The significance of this aberrant localization will be discussed in relation to carcinogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM EMI 00-09, IFR 50, Faculté de Médecine, 28 avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2

    C. Roger, B. Mograbi, D. Chevallier, D. Segretain, G. Pointis & P. Fénichel

  2. Laboratoire d’Anatomo-pathologie, Hôpital de L’Archet, Nice

    J. Michiels

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  1. C. Roger
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  2. B. Mograbi
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  3. D. Chevallier
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  4. J. Michiels
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  5. D. Segretain
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  6. G. Pointis
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  7. P. Fénichel
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Communication orale sélectionnées au XVIIème Congrès de la SALF, 7-8 décembre 2000, Bordeaux.

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Roger, C., Mograbi, B., Chevallier, D. et al. Localisation aberrante de la connexine 43 dans le cancer du testicule. Androl. 11, 56–62 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03034395

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Basic and Clinical Andrology

ISSN: 2051-4190