Pannexin-1 channels and their emerging functions in cardiovascular diseases

• Published in: Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica Vol. 47; no. 6; pp. 391 - 396
• Main Authors: Li, Lanfang, He, Lu, Wu, Di, Chen, Linxi, Jiang, Zhisheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology; 三磷酸腺苷; 循环系统; 心肌纤维化; 心血管疾病; 渠道; 生理功能; 细胞外; 膜通道; Pannexin-1; cardiac fibrosis; ATP; arrhythmia
• ISSN: 1672-9145; 1745-7270; 1745-7270
• DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv028

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.