title: Carbon monoxide: A new player in the redox regulation of connexin hemichannels.
abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous transmitter that is known to be involved in several physiological processes, but surprisingly it is also becoming a promising molecule to treat several pathologies including stroke and cancer. CO can cross the plasma membrane and activate guanylate cyclase, increasing the cGMP concentration and activating some kinases, including PKG. The other mechanism of action involves induction of protein carbonylation. CO is known to directly and indirectly modulate the function of ion channels at the plasma membrane, which in turn have important repercussions in the cellular behavior. One group of these channels is hemichannels, which are formed by proteins known as connexins (Cxs). Hemichannel allows not only the flow of ions through their pore but also the release of molecules such as ATP and glutamate. Therefore, their modulation not only impacts cellular function but also cellular communication, having the capability to affect tissular behavior. Here, we review the most recent results regarding the effect of CO on Cx hemichannels and their possible repercussions on pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Mauricio A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Retamal
authors.affiliation: Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carmen G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: León-Paravic
authors.affiliation: Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ezquer
authors.affiliation: Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ezquer
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Rio
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Amaury
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pupo
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Agustín D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D007473:Ion Channels; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide
keywords: connexins; gap junction channels; gaseous transmitters; hemichannels; post-translational modification; redox potential