Connexins are ubiquitous channel forming proteins that assemble as plasma membrane
hemichannels and as intercellular gap junction channels that directly connect cells. In the …

The intercalated disc (ID) is a highly specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via
mechanical and electrical junctions. Although described in some detail by light microscopy …

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of epilepsy, yet
approximately one-third of patients are refractory to current anticonvulsive drugs, which …

Normal cardiac function requires that intracellular Ca2+ concentration be reduced to low
levels in diastole so that the ventricle can relax and refill with blood. Heart failure is often …

Accumulating evidence suggests that spinal cord astrocytes play an important role in
neuropathic pain sensitization by releasing astrocytic mediators (eg cytokines, chemokines …

Cx43, a major cardiac connexin, forms precursor hemichannels that accrue at the
intercalated disc to assemble as gap junctions. While gap junctions are crucial for electrical …

Functional interaction between neurons and glia is an exciting field that has expanded
tremendously during the past decade. Such partnership has multiple impacts on neuronal …

Abstract Connexin-43 (Cx43), a predominant cardiac connexin, forms gap junctions (GJs)
that facilitate electrical cell–cell coupling and unapposed/nonjunctional hemichannels that …

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays a fundamental role in cellular communication, with its
extracellular accumulation triggering purinergic signaling cascades in a diversity of cell …

Connexins are widely distributed proteins in the body that are crucially important for heart
and brain functions. Six connexin subunits form a connexon or hemichannel in the plasma …