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Connexin 43 and ATP-sensitive potassium channels crosstalk: a missing link in hypoxia/ischemia stress

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Abstract

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein expressed in various tissues and organs of vertebrates. Besides functioning as a gap junction, Cx43 also regulates diverse cellular processes like cell growth and differentiation, cell migration, cell survival, etc. Cx43 is critical for normal cardiac functioning and is therefore abundantly expressed in cardiomyocytes. On the other hand, ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are metabolic sensors converting metabolic changes into electrical activity. These channels are important in maintaining the neurotransmitter release, smooth muscle relaxation, cardiac action potential repolarization, normal physiology of cellular repolarization, insulin secretion and immune function. Cx43 and KATP channels are part of the same signaling pathway, regulating cell survival during stress conditions and ischemia/hypoxia preconditioning. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for their combined role in ischemia/hypoxia preconditioning is largely unknown. The current review focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism responsible for the coordinated role of Cx43 and KATP channel protein in protecting cardiomyocytes against ischemia/hypoxia stress.

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Abbreviations

Cx43:

Connexin43

HP:

Hypoxia preconditioning

IP:

Ischemic preconditioning

KATP :

ATP-sensitive potassium channels

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinases

NO:

Nitric oxide.

PKC:

Protein kinase C.

SUR:

Sulfonylurea receptor.

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Acknowledgements

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) GOI, New Delhi, is acknowledged for providing a fellowship to Ajaz Ahmad Waza (CSIR-RA fellow: Award letter no. 9/251 (0077) / 2 k/17).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India

    Ajaz Ahmad Waza, Shabir Ahmad Bhat & Bashir A. Ganai

  2. Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India

    Mahboob Ul Hussain

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  1. Ajaz Ahmad Waza
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  2. Shabir Ahmad Bhat
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  3. Mahboob Ul Hussain
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  4. Bashir A. Ganai
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Correspondence to Bashir A. Ganai.

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Ahmad Waza, A., Ahmad Bhat, S., Ul Hussain, M. et al. Connexin 43 and ATP-sensitive potassium channels crosstalk: a missing link in hypoxia/ischemia stress. Cell Tissue Res 371, 213–222 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-017-2736-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-017-2736-3

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