Gap-junction hemichannels are composed of six protein subunits (connexins). Undocked
hemichannels contribute to physiological autocrine/paracrine cell signaling, including …

Under normal conditions, connexin (Cx) hemichannels have a low open probability, which
can increase under pathological conditions. Since hemichannels are permeable to relatively …

Purpose.: To determine the consequences of expression of a novel connexin50 (CX50)
mutant identified in a child with congenital total cataracts. Methods.: The GJA8 gene was …

Lens fiber connexins, cx50 and cx46 (α3 and α8), belong to a small subset of connexins that
can form functional hemichannels in nonjunctional membranes. Knockout of either cx50 or …

Connexin channels play a critical role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and
transparency of the lens. Mutations in connexin genes are linked to congenital cataracts in …

Hemichannels formed by connexins mediate the exchange of ions and signaling molecules
between the cytoplasm and the extracellular milieu. Under physiological conditions …

Abstract Connexin 46 (cx46), when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, not only forms typical
gap junction channels between paired cells but also forms open gap junction hemichannels …

The normal function and survival of cells in the avascular lens is facilitated by intercellular
communication through an extensive network of gap junctions formed predominantly by …

Human connexin46 (hCx46) forms gap junctional channels interconnecting lens fiber cells
and appears to be critical for normal lens function, because hCx46 mutations have been …

Purpose.: To characterize the properties of connexin 46 hemichannels in differentiating fiber
cells isolated from mouse lenses. Methods.: Differentiating fiber cells were isolated from …