Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Transfecting and Nucleofecting Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: October 5, 2011
Human stem cells express pannexins
Nadine Hainz1, Anja Beckmann1, Madline Schubert2,3
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 61, Saar, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
Insights
All three pannexin (Panx) genes are expressed in human pluripotent stem cells. Differentiation did not affect Panx1 expression, but slightly increased Panx2 and Panx3 expression in some cell types.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pannexins (Panx) are channel proteins crucial for cellular communication and development.
- Their role in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3 mRNAs in undifferentiated and differentiated hPSCs.
- To analyze the impact of differentiation on pannexin gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Panx1-3 mRNA expression in undifferentiated hPSCs (hCBiPS2, HSC_F1285_T-iPS2, HES-3).
- Induction of undirected differentiation into embryoid bodies.
- Quantification of pannexin gene expression post-differentiation.
Main Results:
- Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3 mRNAs were detected in all undifferentiated hPSC lines, with Panx1 showing the highest expression.
- Undirected differentiation yielded cells from all three germ layers.
- Panx1 expression remained stable post-differentiation; Panx2 expression slightly increased in all differentiated cell types; Panx3 expression showed a slight increase in differentiated hCBiPS2 cells.
Conclusions:
- Human pluripotent stem cells express all three pannexin genes.
- Pannexin expression patterns are modulated during stem cell differentiation.
- Pannexins may play a role in early human development and stem cell biology.
Objective:
Pannexins are channel proteins important for the release of calcium and adenosine triphosphate, which are among other functions involved in early development. Here, the expression of pannexins was investigated in induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human cord blood endothelial cells (hCBiPS2), in hematopoietic stem cell-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (HSC_F1285_T-iPS2) and in human embryonic stem cells (HES-3). The expression of pannexin (Panx) 1-3 mRNAs was analyzed in all three undifferentiated stem cell lines. Stem cells then underwent undirected differentiation into embryoid bodies and were analyzed regarding expression of germ layer-specific genes.
Results:
Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3 mRNAs were expressed in all undifferentiated stem cell lines investigated. In comparison, Panx1 showed the highest expression among all pannexins. The undirected differentiation resulted in a mixed germ layer genotype in all three stem cell lines. Whereas the expression of Panx1 was not affected by differentiation, the expression of Panx2 was slightly increased in differentiated hCBiPS2 cells, HSC_F1285_T-iPS2 as well as HES3 cells as compared to their undifferentiated counterparts. A slight increase of Panx3 expression was observed in differentiated hCBiPS2 cells only. In conclusion, pluripotent stem cells express all three pannexin genes.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Adult Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...

