title: Regulation of connexin- and pannexin-based channels by post-translational modifications.
abstract: Connexin (Cx) and pannexin (Panx) proteins form large conductance channels, which function as regulators of communication between neighbouring cells via gap junctions and/or hemichannels. Intercellular communication is essential to coordinate cellular responses in tissues and organs, thereby fulfilling an essential role in the spreading of signalling, survival and death processes. The functional properties of gap junctions and hemichannels are modulated by different physiological and pathophysiological stimuli. At the molecular level, Cxs and Panxs function as multi-protein channel complexes, regulating their channel localisation and activity. In addition to this, gap junctional channels and hemichannels are modulated by different post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, glycosylation, proteolysis, N-acetylation, S-nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, hydroxylation, methylation and deamidation. These PTMs influence almost all aspects of communicating junctional channels in normal cell biology and pathophysiology. In this review, we will provide a systematic overview of PTMs of communicating junction proteins and discuss their effects on Cx and Panx-channel activity and localisation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signalling, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O/N 1, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium. catheleyne.dhondt@med.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Catheleyne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'hondt
authors.forename: Jegan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iyyathurai
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinken
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rogiers
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leybaert
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Himpens
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bultynck
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics; D017630:Connexins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008745:Methylation; D010766:Phosphorylation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054875:Ubiquitination
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D020033:Protein Isoforms
keywords: Connexin; Gap junctions; Hemichannels; Pannexin; Post-translational modification