Connexin channels, connexin mimetic peptides and ATP release

Luc Leybaert*, Katleen Braet, Wouter Vandamme, Liesbet Cabooter, Patricia E.M. Martin, W. Howard Evans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

135 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Connexin hemichannels, that is, half gap junction channels (not connecting cells), have been implicated in the release of various messengers such as ATP and glutamate. We used connexin mimetic peptides, which are, small peptides mimicking a sequence on the connexin subunit, to investigate hemichannel functioning in endothelial cell lines. Short exposure (30 min) to synthetic peptides mimicking a sequence on the first or second extracellular loop of the connexin subunit strongly supressed ATP release and dye uptake triggered by either intracellular InsP3 elevation or exposure to zero extracellular calcium, while gap junctional coupling was not affected under these conditions. The effect was dependent on the expression of connexin-43 in the cells. Connexin mimetic peptides thus appear to be interesting tools to distinguish connexin hemichannel from gap junction channel functioning. In addition, they are well suited to further explore the role of connexins in cellular release or uptake processes, to investigate hemichannel gating and to reveal new unknown functions of the large conductance hemichannel pathway between the cell and its environment. Work performed up to now with these peptides should be re-interpreted in terms of these new findings.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-257
Number of pages7
JournalCell Communication and Adhesion
Volume10
Issue number4-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ATP release
  • Connexin hemichannels
  • Cytoplasmic calcium
  • Dye uptake
  • Gap junction channels
  • Zero extracellular calcium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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