PANNEXIN CHANNELS FROM NEURODEVELOPMENT TO NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE
International Studies in the Field of Health Sciences June 2026, Prof. Dr. Hasan AKGÜL, Editör, Gece Kitaplığı, Ankara, ss.8-18, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Mesleki Kitap
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Yayınevi: Gece Kitaplığı
- Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.8-18
- Editörler: Prof. Dr. Hasan AKGÜL, Editör
- Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Cell-to-cell communication is essential for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation may contribute to various diseases. This coomunication is mediated through several signaling mechanisms, including autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and gap junction signaling (Su et al. 2024). In particular, gap junctions play a key role in embryogenesis; by facilitating intracellular communication between cells, they help regulate cellular behaviours such as proliferation, migration and differentiation.
Gap junctions channels are formed by connexin (Conx) proteins, which are essential mediators of direct intercellular communication (Matsuuchi & Naus 2013). In addition to Conxs, which constitute the principal components of vertebrate gap junction channels, pannexins (Panxs) have emerged as an important family of transmembrane channel proteins over the past two decades.In addition to connexins, the Panx transmembrane channels described by Panchin et al. have gained significant importance in recent years (Panchina et al. 2000). Panxs are a family of vertebrate proteins defined by their homology with the innexins (Inxs) of invertebrates (Panchina et al. 2000). In contrast to Inxs, Panxs predominantly function as large-pore membrane channels mediating communication between intracellular and extracellular compartments (Bao et al. 2004; Shestopalov & Panchin 2008). Panxs have been implicated in several key neurodevelopmental processes, including cell migration, neuronal differentiation, and neural circuit formation. Although recent studies have documented Panx expression in various embryonic brain regions, their contribution to nervous system development remains only partially understood. Consequently, further research is needed to elucidate their precise roles and molecular mechanisms in neurodevelopment. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive overview of pannexins in nervous system development, with particular emphasis on their embryological functions, development regulationi and clinical relevance in neurological disorders.