Thomas M Bodenstine, Ph.D.

My laboratory focuses on the connections between cancer cell metabolism and regulation of gap junction communication. Gap junctions are regulated plasma membrane channels mediated by the connexin family of proteins. During early stages of cancer progression, gap junction communication is frequently lost due to decreased expression of connexin proteins or changes to subcellular transport. Loss of gap junction activity has been causatively linked to numerous cancer cell functions. However, this communication is dynamically regulated in cancer cells and can also be increased, particularly during the process of metastasis. This affects qualities including cellular invasion and adaptation to secondary metastatic sites. Additionally, changes to cancer cell energy utilization drive metabolic adaptability and induce therapeutic resistance. The goals of our laboratory are to understand the connections between metabolic pathways and regulation of connexin proteins which affect gap junction activity in the context of cancer.