Grant: Operating Grant

Gap junctions are traditionally made up of connexins subunits that form a pore allowing communication to occur between two adjacent cells. Recently a new family of gap junction-like protein called pannexins has been identified. Like connexins, pannexins appear to reduce cell growth. Unlike connexins that preferentially form an intercellular pore, pannexins form large single channels (hemichannels) that are able to connect the interior of the cell directly to the outside environment. We will determine whether pannexins mediate their growth inhibitory function via hemichannel activity, or whether they utilize similar mechanisms as conventional connexins. Understanding how pannexins control cell growth could open up alternative avenues for diagnosis or treatment in cancer.