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Regulation of Intercellular Calcium Signaling Through Calcium Interactions with Connexin-Based Channels

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Calcium Signaling

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 740))

Abstract

The synchronization of numerous cellular events requires complex electric and metabolic cell-cell interactions. Connexins are a family of membrane proteins that constitute the molecular basis of two kinds of channels: gap junction channels (GJCs), which allow direct cytoplasm-cytoplasm communication, and hemichannels (HCs) that provide a pathway for exchanges between the intra and extra-cellular milieu. Both kind of connexin-based channels support intercellular communication via intercellular propagation of calcium waves. Here, we review evidence supporting the role of Ca2+ in the regulation of GJCs and HCs formed by connexins. Also it is speculated how these connexin-based channels could contribute to the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ signals.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the CONICYT 79090028 (to JAO); FONDECYT 1111033 (to JCS); FONDEF DO7I1086 (to JCS); and ANILLO ACT-71 (to JCS) grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, 8330024, Santiago, Chile

    Juan A. Orellana

  2. Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo., Av. Vitacura, 5951, Vitacura, Chile

    Kurt A. Schalper

  3. Departamento de Fisiología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 6513677, Santiago, Chile

    Vania Figueroa & Juan C. Sáez

  4. Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Helmuth A. Sánchez & Juan C. Sáez

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  1. Juan A. Orellana
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  2. Helmuth A. Sánchez
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  3. Kurt A. Schalper
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  4. Vania Figueroa
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  5. Juan C. Sáez
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Correspondence to Juan A. Orellana .

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  1. , Department of Clinical Sciences and Educ, Karolinska Institutet, Tulegatan 26, Stockholm, SE-118 83, Sweden

    Md. Shahidul Islam

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Orellana, J.A., Sánchez, H.A., Schalper, K.A., Figueroa, V., Sáez, J.C. (2012). Regulation of Intercellular Calcium Signaling Through Calcium Interactions with Connexin-Based Channels. In: Islam, M. (eds) Calcium Signaling. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 740. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2888-2_34

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