Role of Connexin Hemichannels in Neurodegeneration
نویسندگان
چکیده
منابع مشابه
Connexons and pannexons: newcomers in neurophysiology
Connexin hemichannels are single membrane channels which have been traditionally thought to work in pairs to form gap junction channels across two opposing cells. In astrocytes, gap junction channels allow direct intercellular communication and greatly facilitate the transmission of signals. Recently, there has been growing evidence demonstrating that connexin hemichannels, as well as pannexin ...
متن کاملAir-Stimulated ATP Release from Keratinocytes Occurs through Connexin Hemichannels
Cutaneous ATP release plays an important role in both epidermal stratification and chronic pain, but little is known about ATP release mechanisms in keratinocytes that comprise the epidermis. In this study, we analyzed ATP release from cultured human neonatal keratinocytes briefly exposed to air, a process previously demonstrated to trigger ATP release from these cells. We show that exposing ke...
متن کاملA Novel Role for Connexin Hemichannel in Oxidative Stress and Smoking-Induced Cell Injury
Oxidative stress is linked to many pathological conditions, including ischemia, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. The molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress induced pathophysiology and cell death are currently poorly understood. Our present work demonstrates that oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species and cigarette smoke extract depolarize the cell membrane and ope...
متن کاملMutations of connexin 26 at position 75 and dominant deafness: essential role of arginine for the generation of functional gap-junctional channels.
Gap-junctional channels are large intercellular aqueous pores formed by head-to-head association of two gap-junctional hemichannels (connexin hexamers), one from each of the adjacent cells. The mechano-transduction of sound waves into electrical impulses occurs in the cochlea, which houses the organ of Corti. Hereditary deafness is frequent and mutations of connexin 26, the predominant connexin...
متن کاملAtomic Force Microscopy Shows Connexin26 Hemichannel Clustering in Purified Membrane Fragments
Connexin proteins form hexameric assemblies known as hemichannels. When docked to form gap junction (GJ) channels, hemichannels play a critical role in cell-cell communication and cellular homeostasis, but often are functional entities on their own in unapposed cell membranes. Defects in the Connexin26 (Cx26) gene are the major cause of hereditary deafness arising from dysfunctional hemichannel...
متن کامل