title: Analysis of a pannexin 2-pannexin 1 chimeric protein supports divergent roles for pannexin C-termini in cellular localization.
abstract: Pannexins (Panxs) are a three-member family of large pore ion channels permeable to ions and small molecules. Recent elegant work has demonstrated that the Panx1 C-terminus plays an important role in channel trafficking. Panx2, another family member, has a longer and highly dissimilar C-terminus. Interestingly, Panx1 is readily found at the plasma membrane, while Panx2 is mainly present on intracellular membranes. Here we used overlap-extension cloning to create the first chimeric Panx, consisting of Panx2 with the Panx1 C-terminus (Panx2(Panx1CT)), to determine whether the Panx1 C-terminus influences the trafficking of Panx2. We are the first to observe a high level of co-localization between Panx2 and the endolysosomal enriched mannose-6-phosphate receptor. Interestingly this distinct localization of Panx2 is altered by the presence of the Panx1 C-terminus. These novel observations support previous data indicating the importance of the C-terminus in the control of Panx trafficking, and highlight the complexity of molecular signals involved.
authors: Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Leigh E
authors: LE
authors: Wicki-Stordeur
authors: Andrew K J
authors: AK
authors: Boyce
authors: Leigh Anne
authors: LA
authors: Swayne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C503631:Panx1 protein, mouse; C516139:Panx2 protein, mouse