Connexin and pannexin (hemi) channels in the liver

Author(s):Show less -

Maes, Michael ^[1] ; Decrock, Elke ^[2] ; Cogliati, Bruno ^[3] ; Oliveira, Andre G. ^[4] ; Marques, Pedro E. ^[4] ; Dagli, Maria L. Z. ^[3] ; Menezes, Gustavo B. ^[4] ; Mennecier, Gregory ^[3] ; Leybaert, Luc ^[2] ; Vanhaecke, Tamara ^[1] ; Rogiers, Vera ^[1] ; Vinken, Mathieu ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Vrije Univ Brussel, Ctr Pharmaceut Res, Dept Toxicol, B-1090 Brussels - Belgium

^[2] Univ Ghent, Dept Basic Med Sci, Physiol Grp, B-9000 Ghent - Belgium

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Biol Sci, Dept Morphol, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY; v. 4, JAN 10 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 26

Abstract

The liver was among the first organs in which connexin proteins have been identified. Hepatocytes harbor connexin32 and connexin26, while non-parenchymal liver cells typically express connexin43. Connexins give rise to hemichannels, which dock with counterparts on adjacent cells to form gap junctions. Both hemichannels and gap junctions provide pathways for communication, via paracrine signaling or direct intercellular coupling, respectively. Over the years, hepatocellular gap junctions have been shown to regulate a number of liver-specific functions and to drive liver cell growth. In the last few years, it has become clear that connexin hemichannels are involved in liver cell death , particularly in hepatocyte apoptosis. This also holds true for hemichannels composed of pannexin1, a connexin-like protein recently identified in the liver. Moreover, pannexin1 hemichannels are key players in the regulation of hepatic inflammatory processes. The current paper provides a concise overview of the features of connexins, pannexins and their channels in the liver. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50420-6 - Connexin and pannexin channels as drug targets and biomarkers in acute and chronic liver disease
• Grantee: Mathieu Frederick Alexander Vinken
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - SPEC Program