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Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
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Diseases associated with leaky hemichannels

Mauricio A Retamal1, Edison P Reyes2, Isaac E García3

  • 1Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Santiago, Chile.

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|August 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Leaky hemichannels (HCs), formed by connexins (Cxs), are implicated in diseases. This review explores the mechanisms and consequences of these overactive HCs in various cellular systems and animal models.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs) mediate intercellular communication via connexin (Cx) proteins.
  • HCs link the intracellular space to the extracellular environment, while GJCs connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.
  • Physiologically, HCs are generally closed but can open under specific stimuli, releasing signaling molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the formation of "leaky" HCs.
  • To examine the consequences of leaky HC expression in diverse cellular systems and animal models.
  • To identify potential common pathological mechanisms underlying diseases associated with leaky HCs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cellular and molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies involving various cell systems.
  • Examination of data from animal models.

Main Results:

  • Pathological conditions like ischemia and inflammation increase HC activity.
  • Mutations in Cx genes can lead to "leaky" HCs, associated with diseases such as deafness and cataracts.
  • Leaky HCs contribute to disease pathogenesis through altered cellular communication and function.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding leaky HCs is crucial for deciphering disease mechanisms.
  • Further research into the regulation and function of HCs may reveal therapeutic targets.
  • Identifying common patterns in leaky HC-associated diseases could lead to novel treatment strategies.

Keywords:
cell deathconnexinsdiseasegap junction channelsleaky hemichannelsmutations

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