Connexins in epidermal homeostasis and skin disease

The expression of multiple connexin (Cx) types in the epidermis, their differential expression during wound closure and the association of skin pathology with specific Cx gene mutations, are indicative of important functions for Cxs in the skin. In this review, we focus on the role of Cx proteins in the epidermis and during wound healing and discuss mutations in Cx genes which cause skin disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, composition, structure and characteristics. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.