Pannexin

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pannexin 1
Identifiers
Symbol	PANX1
HUGO	8599
Entrez	24145
OMIM	608420
RefSeq	NM_015368
UniProt	Q96RD7
Other data
Locus	Chr. 11 q14-q21

pannexin 2
Identifiers
Symbol	PANX2
HUGO	8600
Entrez	56666
OMIM	608421
RefSeq	NM_052839
UniProt	Q96RD6
Other data
Locus	Chr. 22 q13

pannexin 3
Identifiers
Symbol	PANX3
HUGO	20573
Entrez	116337
OMIM	608422
RefSeq	NM_052959
UniProt	Q96QZ0
Other data
Locus	Chr. 11 q24.2

A pannexin is a member of a vertebrate family of proteins used to build gap junctions. Pannexins are homologues of the invertebrate innexins. In addition to pannexins, vertebrate genomes encode much large families of connexins, also responsible for gap junction formation. So far three pannexins were described in rodent and human genomes: Panx1, Panx2 and Panx3. Hypothetical roles of pannexins in the nervous system include participating in sensory processing, synchronization between hippocampus and cortex, hippocampal plasticity, and propagation of the calcium waves. Calcium waves are supported by glial cells, which help maintain and modulate neuronal metabolism. According to one of the hypothesis, Pannexins also may participate in pathological reactions, including the neural damage after ischemia and subsequent cell death. Pannexins also can form hemichannels. Recent study revealed non-gap junction function of Panx1 hemichannels in erythrocytes, where they serve as the conduits for the ATP release in response to the osmotic stress. Pannexins may be involved in the process of tumorigenesis. Particularly, PANX2 expression levels predict post diagnosis survival for patients with glial tumors. Further investigations are needed to verify or reject hypotheses listed.

[edit] External links

Litvin O, Tiunova A, Connell-Alberts Y, Panchin Y, Baranova A. "What is hidden in the pannexin treasure trove: the sneak peek and the guesswork.". J Cell Mol Med 10 (3): 613-34. PMID 16989724.