IDIM   12530
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MEDICAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Interaction of connexins with other membrane channels and transporters.
Autor/es:
CHANSON M, KOTSIAS BA, PERACCHIA C, O'GRADY SM.
Revista:
Progr Biophys Mol Biol
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Lugar: sa; Año: 2007 vol. 94 p. 233 - 244
Resumen:
Cell-to-cell communication through gap junctions exists in most animal cells and is essential for many important
biological processes including rapid transmission of electric signals to coordinate contraction of cardiac and smooth
muscle, the intercellular propagation of Ca2+ waves and synchronization of physiological processes between adjacent cells
within a tissue. Recent studies have shown that connexins (Cx) can have either direct or indirect interactions with other
plasma membrane ion channels or membrane transport proteins with important functional consequences. For example, in
tissues most severely affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), activation of the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
(CFTR) has been shown to influence connexin function. Moreover, a direct interaction between Cx45.6 and the Major
Intrinsic Protein/AQP0 in lens appears to influence the process of cell differentiation whereas interactions between
aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and Cx43 in mouse astrocytes may coordinate the intercellular movement of ions and water between
astrocytes. In this review, we discuss evidence supporting interactions between Cx and membrane channels/transporters
including CFTR, aquaporins, ionotropic glutamate receptors, and between pannexin1, another class of putative gapjunction-
forming proteins, and Kvb3, a regulatory b-subunit of voltage gated potassium channels. Although the precise
molecular nature of these interactions has yet to be defined, their consequences may be critical for normal tissue
homeostasis.2+ waves and synchronization of physiological processes between adjacent cells
within a tissue. Recent studies have shown that connexins (Cx) can have either direct or indirect interactions with other
plasma membrane ion channels or membrane transport proteins with important functional consequences. For example, in
tissues most severely affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), activation of the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
(CFTR) has been shown to influence connexin function. Moreover, a direct interaction between Cx45.6 and the Major
Intrinsic Protein/AQP0 in lens appears to influence the process of cell differentiation whereas interactions between
aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and Cx43 in mouse astrocytes may coordinate the intercellular movement of ions and water between
astrocytes. In this review, we discuss evidence supporting interactions between Cx and membrane channels/transporters
including CFTR, aquaporins, ionotropic glutamate receptors, and between pannexin1, another class of putative gapjunction-
forming proteins, and Kvb3, a regulatory b-subunit of voltage gated potassium channels. Although the precise
molecular nature of these interactions has yet to be defined, their consequences may be critical for normal tissue
homeostasis.b3, a regulatory b-subunit of voltage gated potassium channels. Although the precise
molecular nature of these interactions has yet to be defined, their consequences may be critical for normal tissue
homeostasis.