Connexin connection (IMAGE) Virginia Tech Caption For the first time, Zhi Sheng and his research team at Virginia Tech identified connexin 43’s role in activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway that becomes faulty in aggressive forms of cancer, including glioblastomas. They successfully interrupted this pathway by applying alphaCT11 – a connexin 43 agonist molecule – to selectively bind to P13K, as rendered above. Credit (Sheng Lab/Virginia Tech) Usage Restrictions None License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.