title: Transcriptional and post-translational regulation of pannexins.
abstract: Pannexins are a 3-membered family of proteins that form large pore ion and metabolite channels in vertebrates. The impact of pannexins on vertebrate biology is intricately tied to where and when they are expressed, and how they are modified, once produced. The purpose of this review is therefore to outline our current understanding of transcriptional and post-translational regulation of pannexins. First, we briefly summarize their discovery and characteristics. Next, we describe several aspects of transcriptional regulation, including cell and tissue-specific expression, dynamic expression over development and disease, as well as new insights into the underlying molecular machinery involved. Following this, we delve into the role of post-translational modifications in the regulation of trafficking and channel properties, highlighting important work on glycosylation, phosphorylation, S-nitrosylation and proteolytic cleavage. Embedded throughout, we also highlight important knowledge gaps and avenues of future research. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences and Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew K J
authors.initials: AKJ
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences and Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Epp
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences and Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagarajan
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences and Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: lswayne@uvic.ca.
authors.forename: Leigh Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Swayne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000502:physiology; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: Glycosylation; Pannexin; Phosphorylation; Promoter regulation; Proteolytic cleavage; S-nitrosylation