Hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs) formed by protein subunits called connexins (Cxs) are major pathways for intercellular communication. While HCs connect the intracellular compartment with the extracellular milieu, GJCs allow the interchange of molecules between cytoplasm of two contacting cells. Under physiological conditions, HCs are mostly closed, but they can open under certain stimuli allowing the release of autocrine and paracrine molecules. Moreover, some pathological conditions, like ischemia or other inflammation conditions, significantly increase HCs activity. In addition, some mutations in Cx genes associated with human diseases, such as deafness or cataracts, lead to the formation of more active HCs or “leaky HCs.” In this article we will revise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the appearance of leaky HCs, and the consequences of their expression in different cellular systems and animal models, in seeking a common pattern or pathological mechanism of disease.
Diseases associated with leaky hemichannels
M. Retamal,E. Reyes,Isaac E. García,Bernardo I. Pinto,Agustín D. Martínez,Carlos Gonzalez
Published 2015 in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
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- Publication year
2015
- Venue
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Publication date
2015-07-27
- Fields of study
Medicine
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- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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