Connexin channels are known to be permeable to a variety of cytoplasmic molecules. The
first observation of second messenger junctional permeability, made∼ 30 years ago …

The proposal on the existence of two main modes of intercellular communication in the
central nervous system (CNS) was introduced in 1986 and called wiring transmission (WT) …

Astrocytes are electrically nonexcitable cells that communicate by means of Ca 2+ signaling.
Long-distance intercellular Ca 2+ waves are initiated by release of ATP and activation of …

Connexins (Cxs) form hemichannels and gap junction channels. Each gap junction channel
is composed of two hemichannels, also termed connexons, one from each of the coupled …

Mechanical loads are required for optimal bone mass. One mechanism whereby mechanical
loads are transduced into localized cellular signals is strain‐induced fluid flow through …

Marked increase in cell permeability ascribed to open connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels is
induced by metabolic inhibition (MI) of cortical astrocytes in culture, but the molecular …

Evidence is accumulating that some forms of cell death, like apoptosis, are not only
governed by the complex interplay between extracellular and intracellular signals but are …

Direct communication between cells, mediated by gap junctions, is nowadays considered as
an indispensable mechanism in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. In fact, gap …

Gap junction channels and hemichannels formed of connexin subunits are found in most
cell types in vertebrates. Gap junctions connect cells via channels not open to the …

Astrocytes express high levels of connexin43, a protein that forms two types of channels:
gap junction channels for direct intercellular communication, and hemichannels for …