Currently used methods for identification and characterization of hemichannels
Currently used methods for identification and characterization of hemichannels
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DOI：
10.1080/15419060802014198
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发表时间：
2008-01-01
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Saez, Juan C.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Schalper, Kurt A.;Palacios-Prado, Nicolas;Saez, Juan C.
连接蛋白和泛连接蛋白是脊椎动物跨膜蛋白，形成称为半通道的六聚体管道。功能性半通道允许离子和小分子穿过质膜的扩散运输，并充当旁分泌和自分泌通信途径。在过去的十年中，对半通道领域的兴趣大幅增加。如今，有证据表明脊椎动物细胞中存在连接蛋白半通道，大量信息支持它们在多种生理和病理反应中的功能。关于介导许多反应的半通道类型的分子身份的争议最近随着基于泛连接蛋白的半通道的鉴定而出现。在这里，作者描述了在活的哺乳动物细胞中研究半通道的最常用的方法，并专注于他们有更多经验的方法。虽然现有的体外证据是大量的，但需要进一步的研究和可能的新实验方法来了解连接蛋白和泛连接蛋白半通道在体内的作用和性质。
Connexins and pannexins are vertebrate transmembrane proteins that form hexameric conduits termed hemichannels. Functional hemichannels allow the diffusional transport of ions and small molecules across the plasma membrane and serve as paracrine and autocrine communication pathways. During the last decade, interest in the hemichannel field increased substantially. Today, there is evidence for the existence of connexin hemichannels in vertebrate cells and bulk of information supports their function in diverse physiological and pathological responses. Controversy regarding the molecular identity of the hemichannel type mediating many responses arose recently with the identification of pannexin-based hemichannels. Here, the authors describe the most frequently used methods for studying hemichannels in living mammalian cells and focus on those with which they have more experience. Although the available in vitro evidence is substantial, further studies and possibly new experimental approaches are required to understand the role and properties of connexin and pannexin hemichannels in vivo.