Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pia C. Burboa, Mariela Puebla, Pablo S. Gaete, Walter N. Duran, Mauricio A. Lillo
Summary: Microcirculation homeostasis depends on channels permeable to ions and small molecules, and the Connexin and Pannexin large-pore channel proteins play a vital role in regulating vascular tone and intercellular communication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raghda Ramadan, Sarah Baatout, An Aerts, Luc Leybaert
Summary: Radiation therapy is effective in treating breast cancer and other thoracic tumors, but can lead to secondary cardiovascular diseases due to radiation exposure of the heart and large arteries. Radiation-induced coronary artery atherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular complication in thoracic radiotherapy-treated patients, with complex biological and molecular mechanisms that are not fully understood. Ionizing radiation exposure can damage the vascular endothelium, leading to atherosclerosis through various mechanisms such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and inflammation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Gonzalez-Casanova, Oliver Schmachtenberg, Agustin D. Martinez, Helmuth A. Sanchez, Paloma A. Harcha, Diana Rojas-Gomez
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss in the working age population, characterized by progressive deterioration of retinal microvasculature due to long-term metabolic changes. Gap junction channels and connexin hemichannels have been identified as key factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Understanding the physiological impact of diabetes on these channels and their role in the disease process could lead to the development of novel pharmacological interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jerome Montnach, Maxime Lorenzini, Adrien Lesage, Isabelle Simon, Sebastien Nicolas, Eleonore Moreau, Celine Marionneau, Isabelle Baro, Michel De Waard, Gildas Loussouarn
Summary: The whole-cell voltage-clamp technique requires consideration of the impact of current amplitude on data accuracy, especially in high throughput patch-clamp applications to prevent inaccuracies. Mathematical kinetic models can predict how large current amplitudes and series resistance artifacts affect voltage-dependent activation and inactivation processes, providing simple guidelines for practice.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Zuping Wu, Chenchen Zhou, Quan Yuan, Demao Zhang, Jing Xie, Shujuan Zou
Summary: CTGF promotes intercellular communication in chondrocytes through upregulating Cx43 expression and activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Sofia Waissbluth, Juan Cristobal Maass, Helmuth A. Sanchez, Agustin D. Martinez
Summary: This article discusses the effects of cisplatin on the inner ear and its potential mechanisms for causing hearing loss, focusing on the role of transporters and gap junctions expressed by supporting cells in this process.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Zhiling Li, Werend Boesmans, Youcef Kazwiny, Marlene M. Hao, Pieter Vanden Berghe
Summary: Live calcium imaging is a valuable tool for simultaneous analysis of neuronal activity. This study investigated how enteric neurons respond to different modes of depolarization using electrophysiology and calcium imaging techniques. The research found that single action potentials can elicit calcium transients in both AH-neurons and S-neurons, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation can be used to distinguish between these two classes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Khaled A. Sahli, Gagan D. Flora, Parvathy Sasikumar, Ali H. Maghrabi, Lisa-Marie Holbrook, Sarah K. AlOuda, Amro Elgheznawy, Tanya Sage, Alexander R. Stainer, Recep Adiyaman, Mohammad AboHassan, Marilena Crescente, Neline Kriek, Sakthivel Vaiyapuri, Alexander P. Bye, Amanda J. Unsworth, Chris Jones, Liam J. McGuffin, Jonathan M. Gibbins
Summary: Connexins form hexameric hemichannels in the plasma membrane, which can dock together to form gap junctions and facilitate intercellular trafficking of molecules. A study on the orphan connexin Cx62 in human and mouse platelets revealed the development of a novel mimetic peptide ((62)Gap27) to interfere with its function and its impact on platelet functions. The inhibition of Cx62 by (62)Gap27 suppressed platelet functions and impaired thrombosis, showing a fundamental role of Cx62 in regulating circulating cell functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erin M. O'Shaughnessy, William Duffy, Laura Garcia-Vega, Keith Hussey, A. David Burden, Mozheh Zamiri, Patricia E. Martin
Summary: Elevated expression of Connexin26 in psoriatic tissue may contribute to cellular events imbalance, while inhibition of Connexin signaling reduces pro-inflammatory events and may have therapeutic benefits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah H. Brotherton, Christos G. Savva, Timothy J. Ragan, Nicholas Dale, Alexander D. Cameron
Summary: This study reveals that an increase in PCO2 leads to the closure of Cx26 gap junctions, which is correlated with the size of the pore aperture. The analysis indicates that the size of the pore is controlled by the N-terminal helices, and CO2 alone is sufficient to induce conformational changes in the protein.
Article
Cell Biology
Daimo Guo, Shiyi Kan, Li Zhang, Zhixing Niu, Mengmeng Duan, Yang Liu, Xiaohua Pu, Mingru Bai, Caixia Pi, Demao Zhang, Chenchen Zhou, Jing Xie
Summary: GJIC plays an important role in cell behavior and IL-10 can enhance GJIC in chondrocytes through up-regulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) and activation of STAT3 signaling.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Liu, Mengmeng Duan, Daimo Guo, Shiyi Kan, Li Zhang, Munire Aili, Demao Zhang, Wei Du, Jing Xie
Summary: Osteocytes communicate with each other through cell processes and gap junction channels. PDGF-AA enhances dendritic processes and intercellular communication by promoting the expression of Cx43, mediated mainly by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roa'a Jaradat, Xiaole Li, Honghong Chen, Peter B. Stathopulos, Donglin Bai
Summary: Functional studies and structural models of Cx46 and Cx50 GJs reveal the importance of hydrophobic interactions between the NT and TM2 domains in V-j-gating, gamma(j), and channel open stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paloma A. Harcha, Polett Garces, Cristian Arredondo, German Fernandez, Juan C. Saez, Brigitte van Zundert
Summary: This study focuses on the role of mast cells in various neuroinflammatory conditions, proposing that blocking hemichannels on mast cells and glial cells could reduce the release of cytokines and other pro-inflammatory compounds, offering a promising novel strategy to ameliorate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu-min Zhang, Ya-ling Liu, Ying Cai, Ying Hao, Sheng Kang
Summary: Our study demonstrated that the upstream gene LRP6 of circRNA1615 controlled the damage effect and VT in AMI, and LRP6 mediated the phosphorylation of Cx43 via Gas which played a role in VT of AMI.