Mechanisms of permselectivity of connexin hemichannels to small molecules.

ABSTRACT: Connexins can act either as hemichannels to facilitate ion and small-molecule movement from the cytosol to the extracellular space or as gap junction channels to provide a pathway for solute exchange between cells. Connexins are ubiquitously expressed throughout the body and are implicated in a wide range of processes. The permselectivity of connexin hemichannels for small neurochemicals remains poorly understood. By coexpressing genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for ATP, glutamate, and lactate with a range of connexins, we examined the ability of different hemichannels to permit the release of these compounds under physiological conditions and in response to physiological stimuli (small changes in partial pressure of CO₂ and transmembrane depolarization). We found that so

SUBMITTER: Lovatt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12666827 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature