GJB1 and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: Mutations in connexin 32 (Cx32), which is an integral gap junction membrane protein forming channels for the transmission of electrical signals and diffusion of small ions and molecules between coupled cells, are known to be associated with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) (Bergoffen et al., 1993; Delisle et al., 2004).