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Pannexin 1 in erythrocytes: function without a gap.

Silviu Locovei1, Li Bao, Gerhard Dahl

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016430, Miami, FL 33101, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 10, 2006
PubMed
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Erythrocytes release ATP through pannexin 1 channels, a mechanism not previously understood. This finding reveals a novel pathway for extracellular ATP signaling in red blood cells.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Extracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a crucial signaling molecule.
  • The mechanisms of ATP release from cells, particularly erythrocytes, remain unclear, with possibilities including vesicular or channel-mediated pathways.
  • Erythrocytes release ATP under conditions like hypoxia and shear stress, suggesting a need for non-vesicular release mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of pannexin 1 in ATP release from erythrocytes.
  • To determine if erythrocytes express pannexin 1 and if it functions as an ATP release channel.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology were used to detect pannexin 1 expression in erythrocytes.
  • Functional assays in paired oocytes demonstrated pannexin 1 channel activity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Experiments involving carbenoxolone, a gap junction blocker, were conducted to assess its effect on ATP release.
  • Fluorescent tracer uptake assays were performed to evaluate channel permeability.

    • Main Results:

    • Erythrocytes express the gap junction protein pannexin 1.
    • Pannexin 1 forms mechanosensitive and ATP-permeable channels in the erythrocyte plasma membrane.
    • ATP release from erythrocytes was reduced by carbenoxolone.
    • Erythrocytes exhibited uptake of gap junction-permeant fluorescent tracers.

    Conclusions:

    • Pannexin 1 functions as a non-junctional, mechanosensitive ATP release channel in erythrocytes.
    • This study elucidates a novel mechanism for extracellular ATP signaling involving pannexin 1 in red blood cells.
    • The findings have implications for understanding cellular communication and responses to mechanical stress or hypoxia.