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Hemichannels: permeants and their effect on development, physiology and death
Author(s) -
Chandrasekhar Anjana,
Bera Amal Kanti
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
cell biochemistry and function
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0844
pISSN - 0263-6484
DOI - 10.1002/cbf.2794
Subject(s) - connexin , pannexin , gap junction , microbiology and biotechnology , connexon , biology , function (biology) , programmed cell death , tissue repair , biochemistry , apoptosis , intracellular
Hemichannels, which are one half of the gap junction channels, have independent physiological roles. Although hemichannels consisting of connexins are more widely documented, hemichannels of pannexins, proteins homologous to invertebrate gap junction proteins also have been studied. There are at least 21 different connexin and three pannexin isotypes. This variety in isotypes results in tissue‐specific hemichannels, which have been implicated in varied events ranging from development, cell survival, to cell death. Hemichannel function varies with its spatio‐temporal opening, thus demanding a refined degree of regulation. This review discusses the activity of hemichannels and the molecules released in different physiological states and their impact on tissue functioning. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.