title: Regulation of intercellular calcium signaling through calcium interactions with connexin-based channels.
abstract: The synchronization of numerous cellular events requires complex electric and metabolic cell-cell interactions. Connexins are a family of membrane proteins that constitute the molecular basis of two kinds of channels: gap junction channels (GJCs), which allow direct cytoplasm-cytoplasm communication, and hemichannels (HCs) that provide a pathway for exchanges between the intra and extra-cellular milieu. Both kind of connexin-based channels support intercellular communication via intercellular propagation of calcium waves. Here, we review evidence supporting the role of Ca(2+) in the regulation of GJCs and HCs formed by connexins. Also it is speculated how these connexin-based channels could contribute to the propagation of intercellular Ca(2+) signals.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, 8330024, Santiago, Chile. jaorella@uc.cl
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Orellana
authors.forename: Helmuth A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Kurt A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Schalper
authors.forename: Vania
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Figueroa
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sáez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000502:physiology*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D002118:Calcium