Browsing by Author "Garcia, Isaac"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Diseases associated with leaky hemichannels
    (Frontiers Research Foundation, 2015) Retamal, Mauricio; Reyes, Edison; Garcia, Isaac; Pinto, Bernardo; Martinez, Agustin; Gonzalez, Carlos
    Hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs) formed by protein subunits called connexins (Cxs) are major pathways for intercellular communication. While HCs connect the intracellular compartment with the extracellular milieu, GJCs allow the interchange of molecules between cytoplasm of two contacting cells. Under physiological conditions, HCs are mostly closed, but they can open under certain stimuli allowing the release of autocrine and paracrine molecules. Moreover, some pathological conditions, like ischemia or other inflammation conditions, significantly increase HCs activity. In addition, some mutations in Cx genes associated with human diseases, such as deafness or cataracts, lead to the formation of more active HCs or "leaky HCs." In this article we will revise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the appearance of leaky HCs, and the consequences of their expression in different cellular systems and animal models, in seeking a common pattern or pathological mechanism of disease.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Redox-mediated regulation of connexin proteins; focus on nitric oxide
    (Elsevier, 2017) Garcia, Isaac; Sanchez, Helmuth; Martinez, Agustin; Retamal, Mauricio
    Connexins are membrane proteins that form hemichannels and gap junction channels at the plasma membrane. Through these channels connexins participate in autocrine and paracrine intercellular communication. Connexin-based channels are tightly regulated by membrane potential, phosphorylation, pH, redox potential, and divalent cations, among others, and the imbalance of this regulation have been linked to many acquired and genetic diseases. Concerning the redox potential regulation, the nitric oxide (NO) has been described as a modulator of the hemichannels and gap junction channels properties. However, how NO regulates these channels is not well understood. In this mini-review, we summarize the current knowledge about the effects of redox potential focused in NO on the trafficking, formation and functional properties of hemichannels and gap junction channels.

Implementado por OpenGeek Services