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Connexin hemichannel inhibition reduces acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice Vrije Universiteit Brussel Universiteit Gent
Historically, connexin hemichannels have been considered as structural precursors of gap junctions. However, accumulating evidence points to independent roles for connexin hemichannels in cellular signaling by connecting the intracellular compartment with the extracellular environment. Unlike gap junctions, connexin hemichannels seem to be mainly activated in pathological processes. The present study was set up to test the potential involvement ...
Mechanisms underlying connexin hemichannel activation in disease Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels mediate intercellular and extracellular commu-nication, respectively. While gap junctions are seen as the “good guys” by controlling homeostasis, connexin hemichannels are considered as the “bad guys”, as their activation is associated with the onset and dissemination of disease. Open connexin hemichannels indeed mediate the transport of messengers between the cytosol and extracellular environment and, ...
Connexin targeting peptides as inhibitors of voltage- and intracellular Ca2+-triggered Cx43 hemichannel opening KU Leuven Universiteit Gent
Connexins form gap junctions that function as intercellular channels and hemichannels that form a conduit between the cytoplasm and extracellular fluid when open. Peptide inhibitors of connexin channels, especially those identical to defined connexin sequences, are interesting experimental, and possibly also therapeutic tools because they may have better selectivity than general inhibitors like carbenoxolone. Over the past ten years, several ...
The contractile system as a negative regulator of the connexin 43 hemichannel KU Leuven Universiteit Gent
The molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of gap junction (GJ) channels based on the 43-kDa connexin isoform (Cx43) have been studied extensively. GJ channels are formed by the docking of opposed hemichannels in adjacent cells. Mounting data indicate that unopposed Cx43 hemichannels are also functional in the plasma membrane. However, our understanding of how Cx43-hemichannel opening and closing is regulated at the molecular level is ...
Connexin mimetic peptides inhibit Cx43 hemichannel opening triggered by voltage and intracellular Ca2+ elevation KU Leuven Universiteit Gent
Connexin mimetic peptides (CxMPs), such as Gap26 and Gap27, are known as inhibitors of gap junction channels but evidence is accruing that these peptides also inhibit unapposed/non-junctional hemichannels (HCs) residing in the plasma membrane. We used voltage clamp studies to investigate the effect of Gap26/27 at the single channel level. Such an approach allows unequivocal identification of HC currents by their single channel conductance that ...