title: Interdependence of ATP signalling and pannexin channels; the servant was really the master all along?
abstract: Pannexin channels are recognized as important conduits for the release of ATP, which contributes to purinergic signalling. Pathologically, ATP release via these channels acts as a find-me signal for apoptotic cell clearance. Accordingly, there is considerable and growing interest in understanding the function and regulation of pannexin channels. In a recent issue of the Biochemical Journal, Boyce et al. provide evidence that the surface expression of pannexin channels is regulated by extracellular ATP. They propose a model in which ATP triggers pannexin channel internalization through a pathway involving clathrin- and caveolin-independent entry into early endosomes. Intriguingly, their evidence suggests that internalization is initiated through the association of ATP with pannexin channels themselves as well as ionotropic purinergic receptor 7 (P2X7) receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0T6 Neuroscience Research Group, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 3J7 michael.jackson@umanitoba.ca.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; C546468:P2RX7 protein, human; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate
keywords: ATP; P2X7; endocytosis; pannexin 1; purine receptors; trafficking