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Published on: July 16, 2013
Pannexin-1 channels and their emerging functions in cardiovascular diseases
Lanfang Li1, Lu He2, Di Wu2
1Post-doctoral Mobile Stations for Basic Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Abstract:
Pannexin-1, Pannexin-2, and Pannexin-3 are three members of the Pannexin family of channel-forming glycoprotein. Their primary function is defined by their ability to form single-membrane channels. Pannexin-1 ubiquitously exists in many cells and organs throughout the body and is specially distributed in the circulatory system, while the expressions of Pannexin-2 and Pannexin-3 are mostly restricted to organs and tissues. Pannexin-1 oligomers have been shown to be functional single membrane channels that connect intracellular and extracellular compartments and are not intercellular channels in appositional membranes. The physiological functions of Pannexin-1 are to link to the adenosine triphosphate efflux that acts as a paracrine signal, and regulate cellular inflammasomes in a variety of cell types under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, there are still many functions to be explored. This review summarizes recent reports and discusses the role of Pannexin-1 in cardiovascular diseases, including ischemia, arrhythmia, cardiac fibrosis, and hypertension. Pannexin-1 has been suggested as an exciting, clinically relevant target in cardiovascular diseases.
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