A throwback on 25 years in pannexin research

Cellular channels consisting of pannexins facilitate signaling between the intracellular and extracellular environment. In this respect, pannexin channel opening serves as a pivotal trigger for both inflammatory processes and cell death. While pannexin channels also contribute to normal physiological functions, their roles in pathological mechanisms have been more extensively studied. Indeed, aberrant pannexin channel activity contributes to the onset and progression of a plethora of diseases. Not surprisingly, pannexin channels have attracted considerable attention as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Marking the 25th anniversary of the discovery of pannexins, the present paper reviews 25 years of pannexin research, exploring the lifecycle of pannexins, their various functional roles, and their involvement in a multitude of diseases affecting different organ systems in the human body.