Connexin arrests the cell cycle through cytosolic retention of an E3 ligase.

The gap junction proteins connexins play important roles in cell growth and differentiation; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely elusive. We recently identified a channel-independent role of connexins in cell cycle control in which connexin 50 directly interacts with S-phase kinase 2 and prevents its nuclear localization, resulting in p27/p57 protection and cell cycle arrest.