P2X7 receptor-Pannexin1 complex: pharmacology and signaling

Anoxia-induced NMDA receptor activation opens pannexin channels via Src family kinases

Anoxic depolarization of pyramidal neurons results from a large inward current that is activated, in part, by excessive glutamate release during exposure to anoxia/ischemia. Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels can be activated both by ischemia and NMDA receptors (NMDARs), but the mechanisms of Panx1 activation are unknown. We used whole-cell recordings to show that pharmacological inhibition or conditional genetic deletion of Panx1 strongly attenuates the anoxic depolarization of CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute brain slices from rats and mice. Anoxia or exogenous NMDA activated Src family kinases (SFKs), as measured by increased phosphorylation of SFKs at Y416. The SFK inhibitor PP2 prevented Src activation and Panx1 opening during anoxia. A newly developed interfering peptide that targets the SFK consensus-like sequence of Panx1 (Y308) attenuated the anoxic depolarization (AD) without affecting SFK activation. Importantly, the NMDAR antagonists, D-APV and R-CPP, attenuated AD currents carried by Panx1, and the combined application of D-APV and (10)panx (a Panx1 blocker) inhibited AD currents to the same extent as either blocker alone. We conclude that activation of NMDARs during anoxia/ischemia recruits SFKs to open Panx1, leading to sustained neuronal depolarizations.

Intracellular and extracellular ATP coordinately regulate the inverse correlation between osteoclast survival and bone resorption

Osteoclasts, highly differentiated bone-resorbing cells of hematopoietic origin, have two conflicting tendencies: a lower capacity to survive and a higher capacity to execute energy-consuming activities such as bone resorption. Here, we report that when compared with their precursors, mature mitochondria-rich osteoclasts have lower levels of intracellular ATP, which is associated with receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL)-induced Bcl-x(L) down-regulation. Severe ATP depletion, caused by disrupting mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) gene, leads to increased bone-resorbing activity despite accelerated apoptosis. Although AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation by ATP depletion is not involved in the regulation of osteoclast function, the release of ATP from intracellular stores negatively regulates bone-resorbing activity through an autocrine/paracrine feedback loop by altering cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, osteoclasts derived from aged mice exhibit reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and intracellular ATP levels with increased bone-resorbing activity, implicating the possible involvement of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction in osteoporosis. Thus, our study provides evidence for a mechanism underlying the control of cellular functions by reciprocal changes in intracellular and extracellular ATP, which regulate the negative correlation between osteoclast survival and bone resorption.

Physiological mechanisms for the modulation of pannexin 1 channel activity

It is widely recognized that ATP, along with other nucleotides, subserves important intercellular signalling processes. Among various nucleotide release mechanisms, the relatively recently identified pannexin 1 (Panx1) channel is gaining prominence by virtue of its ability to support nucleotide permeation and release in a variety of different tissues. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the factors that control Panx1 channel activity. By using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches, diverse mechanisms that dynamically regulate Panx1 channel function have been identified in various settings; these include, among others, activation by caspase-mediated channel cleavage in apoptotic immune cells, by G protein-coupled receptors in vascular smooth muscle, by low oxygen tension in erythrocytes and neurons, by high extracellular K(+) in various cell types and by stretch/strain in airway epithelia. Delineating the distinct mechanisms of Panx1 modulation that prevail in different physiological contexts provides the possibility that these channels, and ATP release, could ultimately be targeted in a context-dependent manner.

Intercellular Ca(2+) waves: mechanisms and function

Intercellular calcium (Ca(2+)) waves (ICWs) represent the propagation of increases in intracellular Ca(2+) through a syncytium of cells and appear to be a fundamental mechanism for coordinating multicellular responses. ICWs occur in a wide diversity of cells and have been extensively studied in vitro. More recent studies focus on ICWs in vivo. ICWs are triggered by a variety of stimuli and involve the release of Ca(2+) from internal stores. The propagation of ICWs predominately involves cell communication with internal messengers moving via gap junctions or extracellular messengers mediating paracrine signaling. ICWs appear to be important in both normal physiology as well as pathophysiological processes in a variety of organs and tissues including brain, liver, retina, cochlea, and vascular tissue. We review here the mechanisms of initiation and propagation of ICWs, the key intra- and extracellular messengers (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ATP) mediating ICWs, and the proposed physiological functions of ICWs.

Pannexin1 contributes to pathophysiological ATP release in lipoapoptosis induced by saturated free fatty acids in liver cells

Hepatocyte lipoapoptosis induced by saturated free fatty acids (FFA) contributes to hepatic inflammation in lipotoxic liver injury, and the cellular mechanisms involved have not been defined. Recent studies have shown that apoptosis in nonhepatic cells stimulates ATP release via activation of pannexin1 (panx1), and extracellular ATP functions as a proinflammatory signal for recruitment and activation of the inflammatory cells. However, it is not known whether lipoapoptosis stimulates ATP release in liver cells. We found that lipoapoptosis induced by saturated FFA stimulated ATP release in liver cells that increased extracellular ATP concentration by more than fivefold above the values observed in healthy cells. This sustained pathophysiological ATP release was not dependent on caspase-3/7 activation. Inhibition of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), a key mediator of lipoapoptosis, with SP600125 blocked pathophysiological ATP release in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR analysis indicated that panx1 is expressed in hepatocytes and multiple liver cell lines. Notably, inhibition of panx1 expression with short hairpin (sh)RNA inhibited in part pathophysiological ATP release. Moreover, lipoapoptosis stimulated uptake of a membrane impermeable dye YoPro-1 (indicative of panx1 activation), which was inhibited by panx1 shRNA, probenecid, and mefloquine. These results suggest that panx1 contributes to pathophysiological ATP release in lipoapoptosis induced by saturated FFA. Thus panx1 may play an important role in hepatic inflammation by mediating an increase in extracellular ATP concentration in lipotoxic liver injury.

Connexin and pannexin hemichannels in inflammatory responses of glia and neurons

Mammals express ∼20 different connexins, the main gap junction forming proteins in mammals, and 3 pannexins, homologs of innexins, the main gap junction forming proteins in invertebrates. In both classes of gap junction, each channel is formed by two hemichannels, one contributed by each of the coupled cells. There is now general, if not universal, agreement that hemichannels of both classes can open in response to various physiological and pathological stimuli when they are not apposed to another hemichannels and face the external milieu. Connexin (and likely pannexin) hemichannel permeability is consistent with that of the cell-cell channels and open hemichannels can be a release site for relatively large molecules such as ATP and glutamate, which can serve as transmitters between cells. Here we describe three experimental paradigms in which connexin and pannexin hemichannel signaling occurs. (1) In cultures of spinal astrocytes FGF-1 causes the release of ATP, and ATP causes opening of pannexin hemichannels, which then release further ATP. Subsequently, several hours later, connexin hemichannels are also opened by an unknown mechanism. Release of ATP appears to become self sustaining through action of P2X7 receptors to open pannexin hemichannels and then connexin hemichannels, both of which are ATP permeable. (2) Spinal cord injury by dropping a small weight on the exposed cord is followed by release of ATP in the region surrounding the primary lesion. This release is greatly reduced in a mouse in which Cx43 is knocked down in the astrocytes. Application of FGF-1 causes a similar release of ATP in the uninjured spinal cord, and an inhibitor of the FGF-1 receptor, PD173074, inhibits both FGF-1 and injury-induced release. Reduction in ATP release is associated with reduced inflammation and less secondary expansion of the lesion. (3) Cortical astrocytes in culture are permeabilized by hypoxia, and this effect is increased by high or zero glucose. The mechanism of permeabilization is opening of Cx43 hemichannels, which can lead to cell death. Activated microglia secrete TNF-α and IL-1β, which open connexin hemichannels in astrocytes. Astrocytes release ATP and glutamate which can kill neurons in co-culture through activation of neuronal pannexin hemichannels. These studies implicate two kinds of gap junction hemichannel in inflammatory responses and cell death. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Electrical Synapses.

The role of gap junction channels during physiologic and pathologic conditions of the human central nervous system

Gap junctions (GJs) are expressed in most cell types of the nervous system, including neuronal stem cells, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, cells of the blood brain barrier (endothelial cells and astrocytes) and under inflammatory conditions in microglia/macrophages. GJs connect cells by the docking of two hemichannels, one from each cell with each hemichannel being formed by 6 proteins named connexins (Cx). Unapposed hemichannels (uHC) also can be open on the surface of the cells allowing the release of different intracellular factors to the extracellular space. GJs provide a mechanism of cell-to-cell communication between adjacent cells that enables the direct exchange of intracellular messengers, such as calcium, nucleotides, IP(3), and diverse metabolites, as well as electrical signals that ultimately coordinate tissue homeostasis, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, cell survival and death. Despite their essential functions in physiological conditions, relatively little is known about the role of GJs and uHC in human diseases, especially within the nervous system. The focus of this review is to summarize recent findings related to the role of GJs and uHC in physiologic and pathologic conditions of the central nervous system.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in P2X7 receptor-mediated neuronal cell death

P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is known to be a 'death receptor' in immune cells, but its functional expression in non-immune cells such as neurons is controversial. Here, we examined the involvement of P2X7R activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in ATP-induced neuronal death in cultured cortical neurons. In P2X7R- and pannexin-1-expressing neuron cultures, 5 or more mM ATP or 0.1 or more mM BzATP induced neuronal death including apoptosis, and cell death was prevented by oxATP, P2X7R-selective antagonists. ATP-treated neurons exhibited Ca(2+) entry and YO-PRO-1 uptake, the former being inhibited by oxATP and A438079, and the latter by oxATP and carbenoxolone, while P2X7R antagonism with oxATP, but not pannexin-1 blocking with carbenoxolone, prevented the ATP-induced neuronal death. The ATP treatment induced reactive oxygen species generation through activation of NADPH oxidase and activated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, but both of them made no or negligible contribution to the neuronal death. Rhodamine123 efflux from neuronal mitochondria was increased by the ATP-treatment and was inhibited by oxATP, and a mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor, cyclosporine A, significantly decreased the ATP-induced neuronal death. In ATP-treated neurons, the cleavage of pro-caspase-3 was increased, and caspase inhibitors, Q-VD-OPh and Z-DEVD-FMK, inhibited the neuronal death. The cleavage of apoptosis-inducing factor was increased, and calpain inhibitors, MDL28170 and PD151746, inhibited the neuronal death. These findings suggested that P2X7R was functionally expressed by cortical neuron cultures, and its activation-triggered Ca(2+) entry and mitochondrial dysfunction played important roles in the ATP-induced neuronal death.

Pannexin 1 in the regulation of vascular tone

Pannexins are a recently discovered protein family with the isoform Panx1 ubiquitously expressed and therefore extensively studied. Panx1 proteins form membrane channels known to release purines such as ATP. Because ATP and, more generally, purinergic signaling plays an important role in the vasculature, it became evident that Panx1 could have a key role in vascular functions. This article reviews recent findings on the pivotal role of Panx1 in smooth muscle cells in the contraction of arteries as well as recent insights into Panx1 channel regulation.

Connexin43 and pannexin1 channels in osteoblasts: who is the "hemichannel"?

Osteoblasts sense and respond to mechanical stimuli in a process involving influx and release of large ions and signaling molecules. Unapposed gap junction hemichannels formed of connexin43 (Cx43) have been proposed as a major route for such exchange, in particular for release of ATP and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in osteocytes. However, we have found that Cx43-null osteoblasts have unaltered, mechanically induced PGE₂ release and ATP-induced YoPro dye uptake. In contrast, PGE₂ release in response to fluid shear stress is abolished in P2X₇ receptor (P2X₇R)-null osteoblasts, and ATP-induced dye uptake is attenuated following treatment of wild-type cells with a P2X₇R or Pannexin1 (Panx1) channel blocker. These data indicate that Panx1 channels, in concert with P2X₇R, likely form a molecular complex that performs the hemichannel function in osteoblast mechanosignaling.

Paracrine signaling through plasma membrane hemichannels

Plasma membrane hemichannels composed of connexin (Cx) proteins are essential components of gap junction channels but accumulating evidence suggests functions of hemichannels beyond the communication provided by junctional channels. Hemichannels not incorporated into gap junctions, called unapposed hemichannels, can open in response to a variety of signals, electrical and chemical, thereby forming a conduit between the cell's interior and the extracellular milieu. Open hemichannels allow the bidirectional passage of ions and small metabolic or signaling molecules of below 1-2kDa molecular weight. In addition to connexins, hemichannels can also be formed by pannexin (Panx) proteins and current evidence suggests that Cx26, Cx32, Cx36, Cx43 and Panx1, form hemichannels that allow the diffusive release of paracrine messengers. In particular, the case is strong for ATP but substantial evidence is also available for other messengers like glutamate and prostaglandins or metabolic substances like NAD(+) or glutathione. While this field is clearly in expansion, evidence is still lacking at essential points of the paracrine signaling cascade that includes not only messenger release, but also downstream receptor signaling and consequent functional effects. The data available at this moment largely derives from in vitro experiments and still suffers from the difficulty of separating the functions of connexin-based hemichannels from gap junctions and from pannexin hemichannels. However, messengers like ATP or glutamate have universal roles in the body and further defining the contribution of hemichannels as a possible release pathway is expected to open novel avenues for better understanding their contribution to a variety of physiological and pathological processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, roles and dysfunctions.

Novel model for the mechanisms of glutamate-dependent excitotoxicity: role of neuronal gap junctions

In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), coupling of neurons by gap junctions (electrical synapses) increases during early post-natal development, then decreases, but increases in the mature CNS following neuronal injury, such as ischemia, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Glutamate-dependent neuronal death also occurs in the CNS during development and neuronal injury, i.e., at the time when neuronal gap junction coupling is increased. Here, we review our recent studies on the regulation of neuronal gap junction coupling by glutamate during development and injury and on the role of gap junctions in neuronal cell death. A novel model of the mechanisms of glutamate-dependent neuronal death is discussed, which includes neuronal gap junction coupling as a critical part of these mechanisms.

Involvement of connexin43 hemichannel in ATP release after γ-irradiation

Ionizing radiation induces biological effects not only in irradiated cells but also in non-irradiated cells, which is called the bystander effect. Recently, in vivo and in vitro experiments have suggested that both gap junction hemichannel connexin43 (Cx43) and extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from cells play a role in the bystander effect. We have reported that γ-irradiation induces ATP release from B16 melanoma cells, which is dependent on the P2X(7) receptor. However, the mechanism of ATP release caused by irradiation remains unclear. We here show the involvement of Cx43 in P2X(7) receptor-dependent ATP release after 0.5 Gy γ-irradiation. Inhibitors of gap junction hemichannels and an inhibitory peptide for Cx43 (gap26), but not an inhibitory peptide for pannexin1 (Panx1), significantly blocked γ-irradiation-induced ATP release from B16 melanoma cells. We confirmed high expression of Cx43 mRNA in B16 melanoma cells. These results suggest involvement of Cx43 in radiation-induced ATP release. We found that after 0.5 Gy γ-irradiation tyrosine phosphorylation was significantly blocked by P2X(7) receptor antagonist, but not gap26, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation is a downstream event from the P2X(7) receptor. Since tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly suppressed radiation-induced ATP release, tyrosine phosphorylation appears to play an important role in the Cx43-mediated ATP release downstream of the P2X(7) receptor. In conclusion, the Cx43 hemichannel, which lies downstream of the P2X(7) receptor, is involved in ATP release in response to radiation. Our results suggest a novel mechanism for radiation-induced biological effects mediated by both ATP and Cx43.

The role of P2X7 purinergic receptors in inflammatory and nociceptive changes accompanying cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis in mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

ATP is released in response to cellular damage, and P2X7 receptors have an essential role in the onset and maintenance of pathological changes. Haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a well-known adverse effect of therapy with cyclophosphamide used for the treatment of many solid tumours and autoimmune conditions. Here we have evaluated the role of P2X7 receptors in a model of HC induced by cyclophosphamide.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of pharmacological antagonism or genetic deletion of P2X7 receptor on cyclophosphamide-induced HC in mice was assessed by nociceptive and inflammatory measures. In addition, the presence of immunoreactive P2X7 receptors was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS

Pretreatment with the selective P2X7 receptor antagonist A-438079 or genetic ablation of P2X7 receptors reduced nociceptive behaviour scores in the HC model. The same strategies decreased both oedema and haemorrhage indices, on macroscopic or histological evaluation. Treatment with A-438079 decreased the staining for c-Fos in the lumbar spinal cord and brain cortical areas. Treatment with A-438079 also prevented the increase of urinary bladder myeloperoxidase activity and macrophage migration induced by cyclophosphamide and reduced the tissue levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Finally, P2X7 receptors were markedly up-regulated in the bladders of mice with cyclophosphamide-induced HC.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

P2X7 receptors were significantly involved in a model of HC induced by cyclophosphamide. Pharmacological inhibition of these receptors might represent a new therapeutic option for this pathological condition.

Splice variants of the P2X7 receptor reveal differential agonist dependence and functional coupling with pannexin-1

P2X7 receptors function as ATP-gated cation channels but also interact with other proteins as part of a larger signalling complex to mediate a variety of downstream responses that are dependent upon the cell type in which they are expressed. Receptor-mediated membrane permeabilization to large molecules precedes the induction of cell death, but remains poorly understood. The mechanisms that underlie differential sensitivity to NAD are also unknown. By studying alternative variants of the mouse P2X7 receptor we show that sensitivity to NAD is mediated through the P2X7k variant, which has a much more restricted distribution than the P2X7a receptor, but is expressed in T lymphocytes. The altered N-terminus and TM1 of the P2X7k receptor enhances the stability of the active state of this variant compared with P2X7a, thereby increasing the efficacy of NAD-dependent ADP ribosylation as measured by ethidium uptake, a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) and the activation of inward currents. Co-expression of P2X7k and P2X7a receptors reduced NAD sensitivity. P2X7k-receptor-mediated ethidium uptake was also triggered by much lower BzATP concentrations and was insensitive to the P451L single nucleotide polymorphism. P2X7k-receptor-mediated ethidium uptake occurred independently of pannexin-1 suggesting a pathway intrinsic to the receptor. Only for the P2X7aL451 receptor could we resolve a component of dye uptake dependent upon pannexin-1. Signalling occurred downstream of the activation of caspases rather than involving direct cross talk between the channels. However, an in situ proximity assay showed close association between P2X7 receptors and pannexin-1, which would facilitate ATP efflux through pannexin-1 acting in an autocrine manner.

ATP signaling is deficient in cultured Pannexin1-null mouse astrocytes

Pannexins (Panx1, 2, and 3) comprise a group of proteins expressed in vertebrates that share weak yet significant sequence homology with the invertebrate gap junction proteins, the innexins. In contrast to the other vertebrate gap junction protein family (connexin), pannexins do not form intercellular channels, but at least Panx1 forms nonjunctional plasma membrane channels. Panx1 is ubiquitously expressed and has been shown to form large conductance (500 pS) channels that are voltage dependent, mechanosensitive, and permeable to relatively large molecules such as ATP. Pharmacological and knockdown approaches have indicated that Panx1 is the molecular substrate for the so-called "hemichannel" originally attributed to connexin43 and that Panx1 is the pore-forming unit of the P2X(7) receptor. Here, we describe, for the first time, conductance and permeability properties of Panx1-null astrocytes. The electrophysiological and fluorescence imaging analyses performed on these cells fully support our previous pharmacological and Panx1 knockdown studies that showed profoundly lower dye uptake and ATP release than wild-type untreated astrocytes. As a consequence of decreased ATP paracrine signaling, intercellular calcium wave spread is altered in Panx1-null astrocytes. Moreover, we found that in astrocytes as in Panx1-expressing oocytes, elevated extracellular K(+) activates Panx1 channels independently of membrane potential. Thus, on the basis of our present findings and our previous report, we propose that Panx1 channels serve as K(+) sensors for changes in the extracellular milieu such as those occurring under pathological conditions.

Genetically determined P2X7 receptor pore formation regulates variability in chronic pain sensitivity

Chronic pain is highly variable between individuals, as is the response to analgesics. Although much of the variability in chronic pain and analgesic response is heritable, an understanding of the genetic determinants underlying this variability is rudimentary. Here we show that variation within the coding sequence of the gene encoding the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) affects chronic pain sensitivity in both mice and humans. P2X7Rs, which are members of the family of ionotropic ATP-gated receptors, have two distinct modes of function: they can function through their intrinsic cationic channel or by forming nonselective pores that are permeable to molecules with a mass of up to 900 Da. Using genome-wide linkage analyses, we discovered an association between nerve-injury-induced pain behavior (mechanical allodynia) and the P451L mutation of the mouse P2rx7 gene, such that mice in which P2X7Rs have impaired pore formation as a result of this mutation showed less allodynia than mice with the pore-forming P2rx7 allele. Administration of a peptide corresponding to the P2X7R C-terminal domain, which blocked pore formation but not cation channel activity, selectively reduced nerve injury and inflammatory allodynia only in mice with the pore-forming P2rx7 allele. Moreover, in two independent human chronic pain cohorts, a cohort with pain after mastectomy and a cohort with osteoarthritis, we observed a genetic association between lower pain intensity and the hypofunctional His270 (rs7958311) allele of P2RX7. Our findings suggest that selectively targeting P2X7R pore formation may be a new strategy for individualizing the treatment of chronic pain.

ATP released from cardiac fibroblasts via connexin hemichannels activates profibrotic P2Y2 receptors

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play an essential role in remodeling of the cardiac extracellular matrix. Extracellular nucleotide signaling may provoke a profibrotic response in CFs. We tested the hypothesis that physical perturbations release ATP from CFs and that ATP participates in profibrotic signaling. ATP release was abolished by the channel inhibitor carbenoxolone and inhibited by knockdown of either connexin (Cx)43 or Cx45 (47 and 35%, respectively), implying that hypotonic stimulation induces ATP release via Cx43 and Cx45 hemichannels, although pannexin 1 may also play a role. ATP released by hypotonic stimulation rapidly (<10 min) increased phosphorylated ERK by 5-8 fold, an effect largely eliminated by P2Y(2) receptor knockdown or ATP hydrolysis with apyrase. ATP stimulation of P2Y(2) receptors increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) production, and in an ERK-dependent manner, ATP increased collagen accumulation by 60% and mRNA expression of profibrotic markers: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 by 4.5- and 4.0-fold, respectively. Apyrase treatment substantially reduced the basal profibrotic phenotype, decreasing collagen and α-SMA content and increasing matrix metalloproteinase expression. Thus, ATP release activates P2Y(2) receptors to mediate profibrotic responses in CFs, implying that nucleotide release under both basal and activated states is likely an important mechanism for fibroblast homeostasis.

Pannexin1-mediated ATP release provides signal transmission between Neuro2A cells

Pannexin1 (Panx1), a protein related to the gap junction proteins of invertebrates, forms nonjunctional channels that open upon depolarization and in response to mechanical stretch and purinergic receptor stimulation. Importantly, ATP can be released through Panx1 channels, providing a possible role for these channels in non-vesicular signal transmission. In this study we expressed exogenous human and mouse Panx1 in the gap junction deficient Neuro2A neuroblastoma cell line and explored the contribution of Panx1 channels to cell-cell communication as sites of ATP release. Electrophysiological (patch clamp) recordings from Panx1 transfected Neuro2A cells revealed membrane conductance that increased beyond 0 mV when applying voltage ramps from -60 to +100 mV; threshold was correlated with extracellular K+, so that at 10 mM K+, channels began to open at -30 mV. Evaluation of cell-cell communication using dual whole cell recordings from cell pairs revealed that activation of Panx1 current in one cell of the pair induced an inward current in the second cell after a latency of 10-20 s. This paracrine response was amplified by an ATPase inhibitor (ARL67156, 100 μM) and was blocked by the ATP-degrading enzyme apyrase (6.7 U/ml), by the P2 receptor antagonist suramin (50 μM) and by the Panx1 channel blocker carbenoxolone. These results provide additional evidence that ATP release through Panx1 channels can mediate nonsynaptic bidirectional intercellular communication. Furthermore, current potentiation by elevated K+ provides a mechanism for enhancement of ATP release under pathological conditions.

Gap junction communication in myelinating glia

Gap junction communication is crucial for myelination and axonal survival in both the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). This review examines the different types of gap junctions in myelinating glia of the PNS and CNS (Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes respectively), including their functions and involvement in neurological disorders. Gap junctions mediate intercellular communication among Schwann cells in the PNS, and among oligodendrocytes and between oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the CNS. Reflexive gap junctions mediating transfer between different regions of the same cell promote communication between cellular compartments of myelinating glia that are separated by layers of compact myelin. Gap junctions in myelinating glia regulate physiological processes such as cell growth, proliferation, calcium signaling, and participate in extracellular signaling via release of neurotransmitters from hemijunctions. In the CNS, gap junctions form a glial network between oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. This transcellular communication is hypothesized to maintain homeostasis by facilitating restoration of membrane potential after axonal activity via electrical coupling and the re-distribution of potassium ions released from axons. The generation of transgenic mice for different subsets of connexins has revealed the contribution of different connexins in gap junction formation and illuminated new subcellular mechanisms underlying demyelination and cognitive defects. Alterations in metabolic coupling have been reported in animal models of X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) and Pelizaeus-Merzbarcher-like disease (PMLD), which are caused by mutations in the genes encoding for connexin 32 and connexin 47 respectively. Future research identifying the expression and regulation of gap junctions in myelinating glia is likely to provide a better understanding of myelinating glia in nervous system function, plasticity, and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, roles and dysfunctions.

Extracellular Ca²⁺ acts as a mediator of communication from neurons to glia

Defining the pathways through which neurons and astrocytes communicate may contribute to the elucidation of higher central nervous system functions. We investigated the possibility that decreases in extracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](e)) that occur during synaptic transmission might mediate signaling from neurons to glia. Using noninvasive photolysis of the photolabile Ca(2+) buffer diazo-2 {N-[2-[2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-5-(diazoacetyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]-4-methylphenyl]-N-(carboxymethyl)-, tetrapotassium salt} to reduce [Ca(2+)](e) or caged glutamate to simulate glutamatergic transmission, we found that a local decline in extracellular Ca(2+) triggered astrocytic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release and astrocytic Ca(2+) signaling. In turn, activation of purinergic P2Y1 receptors on a subset of inhibitory interneurons initiated the generation of action potentials by these interneurons, thereby enhancing synaptic inhibition. Thus, astrocytic ATP release evoked by an activity-associated decrease in [Ca(2+)](e) may provide a negative feedback mechanism that potentiates inhibitory transmission in response to local hyperexcitability.

The participation of plasma membrane hemichannels to purinergic signaling

The field of hemichannels is closely related to the purinergic signaling and both areas have been growing in parallel. Hemichannels open in response to a wide range of stressful conditions, such as ischemia, pressure or swelling. Hemichannels represent an important mechanism for the cellular release of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), which is an agonist of the P2Y and P2X family of purinergic receptors. Therefore, hemichannels are key molecules in the regulation of purinergic receptor activation, during physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Furthermore, purinergic receptor activation can also lead to the opening of hemichannels and the subsequent amplification of purinergic signaling via a positive signaling feedback loop, giving rise to the concept of ATP-induced ATP release. Purinergic receptor signaling is involved in regulating many physiological and pathophysiological processes. P2Y receptors activate inositol trisphosphate and transiently increase intracellular calcium. This signaling opens both connexin and pannexin channels, therefore contributing to the expansion of calcium waves across astrocytes and epithelial cells. In addition, several of the P2X receptor subtypes, including the P2X2, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors, activate select cellular permeation pathways to large molecules, including the pannexin-1 channels, which are involved in the initiation of inflammatory responses and cell death. Consequently, the interplay between purinergic receptors and hemichannels could represent a novel target with substantial therapeutic implications in areas such as chronic pain, inflammation or atherosclerosis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The communicating junctions, roles and dysfunctions.

Transient P2X7 receptor activation triggers macrophage death independent of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, caspase-1, and pannexin-1 proteins

The function of P2X(7) receptors (ATP-gated ion channels) in innate immune cells is unclear. In the setting of Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation, secondary activation of P2X(7) ion channels has been linked to pro-caspase-1 cleavage and cell death. Here we show that cell death is a surprisingly early triggered event. We show using live-cell imaging that transient (1-4 min) stimulation of mouse macrophages with high extracellular ATP ([ATP]e) triggers delayed (hours) cell death, indexed as DEVDase (caspase-3 and caspase-7) activity. Continuous or transient high [ATP]e did not induce cell death in P2X(7)-deficient (P2X(7)(-/-)) macrophages or neutrophils (in which P2X(7) could not be detected). Blocking sustained Ca(2+) influx, a signature of P2X(7) ligation, was highly protective, whereas no protection was conferred in macrophages lacking caspase-1 or TLR2 and TLR4. Furthermore, pannexin-1 (Panx1) deficiency had no effect on transient ATP-induced delayed cell death or ATP-induced Yo-Pro-1 uptake (an index of large pore pathway formation). Thus, "transient" P2X(7) receptor activation and Ca(2+) overload act as a death trigger for native mouse macrophages independent of Panx1 and pro-inflammatory caspase-1 and TLR signaling.

Association between P2X7 Receptor Polymorphisms and Bone Status in Mice

Macrophages from mouse strains with the naturally occurring mutation P451L in the purinergic receptor P2X7 have impaired responses to agonists (1). Because P2X7 receptors are expressed in bone cells and are implicated in bone physiology, we asked whether strains with the P451L mutation have a different bone phenotype. By sequencing the most common strains of inbred mice, we found that only a few strains (BALB, NOD, NZW, and 129) were harboring the wild allelic version of the mutation (P451) in the gene for the purinergic receptor P2X7. The strains were compared by means of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bone markers, and three-point bending. Cultured osteoclasts were used in the ATP-induced pore formation assay. We found that strains with the P451 allele (BALB/cJ and 129X1/SvJ) had stronger femurs and higher levels of the bone resorption marker C-telopeptide collagen (CTX) compared to C57Bl/6 (B6) and DBA/2J mice. In strains with the 451L allele, pore-formation activity in osteoclasts in vitro was lower after application of ATP. In conclusion, two strains with the 451L allele of the naturally occurring mutation P451L, have weaker bones and lower levels of CTX, suggesting lower resorption levels in these animals, which could be related to the decreased ATP-induced pore formation observed in vitro. The importance of these findings for the interpretation of the earlier reported effects of P2X7 in mice is discussed, along with strategies in developing a murine model for testing the therapeutic effects of P2X7 agonists and antagonists upon postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Seizure suppression and neuroprotection by targeting the purinergic P2X7 receptor during status epilepticus in mice

Prolonged seizures [status epilepticus (SE)] constitute a neurological emergency that can permanently damage the brain. SE results from a failure of the normal mechanisms to terminate seizures; in particular, γ-amino butyric acid-mediated inhibition, and benzodiazepine anticonvulsants are often incompletely effective. ATP acts as a fast neurotransmitter via ionotropic ligand-gated P2X receptors. Here we report that SE induced by intra-amygdala kainic acid in mice selectively increased hippocampal levels of P2X7 receptors relative to other P2X receptors. Using transgenic P2X7 reporter mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein, we identify dentate granule neurons as the major cell population transcribing the P2X7 receptor after SE. Pretreatment of mice with an intracerebroventricular microinjection of 1.75 nmol A438079, a P2X7 receptor antagonist, reduced seizure duration by 58% and reduced seizure-induced neuronal death by 61%. Injection of brilliant blue G (1 pmol), another selective antagonist, reduced seizure duration by 48% and was also neuroprotective. A438079 was seizure-suppressive when injected shortly after induction of SE, and coinjection of A438079 with lorazepam 60 min after triggering SE, when electrographic seizure-responsiveness to lorazepam had decreased, also terminated SE. Our results suggest that P2X7 receptor antagonists may be a promising class of drug for seizure abrogation and neuroprotection in SE.

Gap junctional channels are parts of multiprotein complexes

Gap junctional channels are a class of membrane channels composed of transmembrane channel-forming integral membrane proteins termed connexins, innexins or pannexins that mediate direct cell-to-cell or cell-to extracellular medium communication in almost all animal tissues. The activity of these channels is tightly regulated, particularly by intramolecular modifications as phosphorylations of proteins and via the formation of multiprotein complexes where pore-forming subunits bind to auxiliary channel subunits and associate with scaffolding proteins that play essential roles in channel localization and activity. Scaffolding proteins link signaling enzymes, substrates, and potential effectors (such as channels) into multiprotein signaling complexes that may be anchored to the cytoskeleton. Protein-protein interactions play essential roles in channel localization and activity and, besides their cell-to-cell channel-forming functions, gap junctional proteins now appear involved in different cellular functions (e.g. transcriptional and cytoskeletal regulations). The present review summarizes the recent progress regarding the proteins capable of interacting with junctional proteins and highlights the function of these protein-protein interactions in cell physiology and aberrant function in diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, composition, structure and functions.

Characterization of novel Pannexin 1 isoforms from rat pituitary cells and their association with ATP-gated P2X channels

Our previous studies have showed that Pannexin 1 (Panx1), a member of a recently discovered family of gap junction proteins, is expressed in the pituitary gland. Here we investigated the presence and expression pattern of Panx1 isoforms in pituitary cells, their roles in ATP release, and their association with purinergic P2X receptor subtypes that are native to pituitary cells. In addition to the full-size Panx1, termed Panx1a, pituitary cells also express two novel shorter isoforms, termed Panx1c and Panx1d, which formation reflects the existence of alternative splicing sites in exons 2 and 4, respectively. Panx1c is lacking the Phe108-Gln180 sequence and P2X1d is missing the Val307-Cys426 C-terminal end sequence. Confocal microscopy and biotin labeling revealed that Panx1a is expressed in the plasma membrane, whereas Panx1c and Panx1d show the cytoplasmic localization when expressed as homomeric proteins. The three Panx1 isoforms and Panx2 form homomeric and heteromeric complexes in any combination. These splice forms can also physically associate with ATP-gated P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 receptor channels. The Panx1a-mediated ATP release in AtT-20 immortalized pituitary cells is attenuated when co-expressed with Panx1c or Panx1d. These results suggest that Panx1c and Panx1d may serve as dominant-negative effectors to modulate the functions of Panx1a through formation of heteromeric channels. The complex patterns of Panx1 expression and association could also define the P2X-dependent roles of these channels in cell types co-expressing both proteins.

Alanine substitution scanning of pannexin1 reveals amino acid residues mediating ATP sensitivity

Pannexin1 is a prime candidate to represent an ATP release channel. The pannexin1 channel can be activated by extracellular ATP through purinergic receptors P2X7 or P2Y. Recent studies have shown that the Pannexin1 channel is inhibited by its own permeant ion, ATP, and also by P2X7 receptor agonists and antagonists. However, the dose dependence of this inhibition indicated that significant inhibition was prominent at ATP concentrations higher than required for activation of purinergic receptors, including P2X7 and P2Y2. The inhibitory effect of ATP is largely decreased when R75 in the first extracellular loop of Pannexin1 is mutated to alanine, indicating that ATP regulates this channel presumably through binding. To further investigate the structural property of the putative ATP binding site, we performed alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the extracellular loops of pannexin1. Mutations on W74, S237, S240, I247 and L266 in the extracellular loops 1 and 2 severely impaired the inhibitory effect of BzATP, indicating that they might be the essential amino acids in the putative binding site. Mutations on R75, S82, S93, L94, D241, S249, P259 and I267 moderately (≥50%) decreased BzATP sensitivity, suggesting their supporting roles in the binding. Mutations of other residues did not change the BzATP potency compared to wild-type except for some nonfunctional mutants. These data demonstrate that several amino acid residues on the extracellular loops of Pannexin1 mediate ATP sensitivity. Cells expressing mutant Panx1W74A exhibited an enhanced release of ATP, consistent with the removal of a negative feedback loop controlling ATP release.

The P2X7 receptor and Pannexin-1 are both required for the promotion of multinucleated macrophages by the inflammatory cytokine GM-CSF

The P2X(7) receptor (P2X(7)R), an ATP-gated ion channel, has been implicated in the process of cell-to-cell fusion into multinucleated macrophages (MA), but its contribution to MA fusion driven by physiological/pathological stimuli is not clearly established. Based on several lines of evidence, we demonstrate that P2X(7)R is critical for the induction of multinucleated MA by the inflammatory cytokine GM-CSF: 1) pharmacological inhibition of P2X(7)R with oxidized ATP (oATP), KN-62, and the selective antagonist A740003 abrogated GM-CSF action on rat alveolar MA and murine peritoneal MA; 2) a murine J774 P2X(7) low MA clone, selected for defective P2X(7)R function, was unresponsive; 3) MA from mice lacking P2X(7)R failed to respond to GM-CSF, in contrast to wild-type. GM-CSF also stimulated ATP-induced membrane permeabilization in J774 P2X(7) high MA and rat alveolar MA, an effect absent in the P2X(7) low MA clone and inhibited by the P2X(7) blockers oATP and KN-62. Notably, the stimulatory effects of GM-CSF on pore formation and MA fusion were both inhibited by blocking functional Pannexin-1 (Panx-1), and GM-CSF failed to stimulate MA fusion in cells from Panx-1 knockout mice. We provide further evidence that extracellular ATP release from peritoneal MA is dependent on P2X(7) but not on Panx-1 expression and that its metabolism to adenosine mediates P2X(7)-dependent MA fusion. These data demonstrate that both P2X(7) and Panx-1 are required for GM-CSF promotion of MA fusion but likely act independently through different signaling pathway(s).

Interaction of alpha1D-adrenergic and P2X(7) receptors in the rat lacrimal gland and the effect on intracellular [Ca2+] and protein secretion

PURPOSE

To determine whether α(1D)-adrenergic receptors (α(1D)-AR) and P2X(7) receptors interact by determining their effect on ATP release, intracellular [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](i)), and protein secretion in rat lacrimal gland acini.

METHODS

Exorbital lacrimal glands from male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into pieces or digested with collagenase to form acini. With the use of an imaging system, [Ca(2+)](i) was measured in acini loaded with fura-2. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release was determined using the luciferin-luciferase reaction. Peroxidase secretion, our index for protein secretion, was measured spectrophotometrically. Acini were stimulated with the P2X(7) receptor agonist, (benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine 5' triphosphate (BzATP) or the α(1D)-AR agonist phenylephrine with or without antagonist preincubation.

RESULTS

Phenylephrine increased ATP release from pieces in a time-dependent manner. The α(1D)-AR antagonist BMY7378 blocked the BzATP-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) but not in peroxidase secretion. The P2X(7) antagonist A438079 blocked the phenylephrine-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) but not peroxidase secretion. The increase in [Ca(2+)](i) caused by phenylephrine and BzATP used simultaneously or sequentially was additive, as was the increase in peroxidase secretion. The inhibition of protein kinase C isoforms or calcium calmodulin kinase II did not alter the BzATP-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that activation of α(1D)-AR releases ATP, which induces P2X(7) receptors to increase [Ca(2+)](i) but not to stimulate protein secretion. P2X(7) receptors in turn activate α(1D)-AR to increase [Ca(2+)](i) but not to stimulate protein secretion. Furthermore, α(1D)-AR compared with P2X(7) receptors use different cellular mechanisms to increase [Ca(2+)](i) and cause protein secretion.

Many ways to dilate the P2X7 receptor pore

The P2X7 receptor is associated with two different membrane permeabilities: a small cation conductance which opens within milliseconds, followed by the appearance of a second channel carrying higher molecular weight compounds (including organic dyes) after prolonged agonist stimulation. This activation profile has also been found in cells expressing P2X2 and P2X4 receptors; however, the P2X7 receptor-dependent pathway has the unique ability to activate pro-inflammatory signalling in macrophages. In this issue of the BJP, Marques-da-Silva et al. demonstrate that colchicine is a potent inhibitor of both P2X7 and P2X2 receptor-dependent dye uptake, without affecting the ion channels. Colchicine also blocked the pro-inflammatory signalling downstream of P2X7 receptor activation, both in vitro and in vivo. This report suggests that the dye uptake associated with activation of P2X7 receptors is distinct from the P2X7 receptor ion channel and could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic inflammation.

P2X7 receptor agonists pre- and postcondition the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury by opening pannexin-1/P2X₇ channels

Protection of the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury can be achieved by ischemic preconditioning and ischemic postconditioning. Previous studies revealed that a complex of pannexin-1 with the P2X(7) receptor forms a channel during ischemic preconditioning and ischemic postconditioning that results in the release of endogenous cardioprotectants. ATP binds to P2X(7) receptors, inducing the formation of a channel in association with pannexin-1. We hypothesized that this channel would provide a pathway for the release of these same cardioprotectants. Preconditioning-isolated perfused rat hearts with 0.4 μM ATP preceding 40 min of ischemia minimized infarct size upon subsequent reperfusion (5% of risk area) and resulted in >80% recovery of left ventricular developed pressure. Postconditioning with ATP after ischemia during reperfusion was also protective (6% infarct and 72% recovery of left ventricular developed pressure). Antagonists of both pannexin-1 (carbenoxolone and mefloquine) and P2X(7) receptors (brilliant blue G and A438079) blocked ATP pre- and postconditioning, indicating that ATP protection was elicited via the opening of a pannexin-1/P2X(7) channel. An antagonist of binding of the endogenous cardioprotectant sphingosine 1-phosphate to its G protein-coupled receptor diminished protection by ATP, which is also consistent with an ATP-dependent release of cardioprotectants. Suramin, an antagonist of binding of ATP (and ADP) to P2Y receptors, was without effect on ATP protection. Benzoyl benzoyl-ATP, a more specific P2X(7) agonist, was also a potent pre- and postconditioning agent and sensitive to blockade by pannexin-1/P2X(7) channel antagonists. The data point out for the first time the potential of P2X(7) agonists as cardioprotectants.

Evidence for sustained ATP release from liver cells that is not mediated by vesicular exocytosis

Extracellular ATP regulates many important cellular functions in the liver by stimulating purinergic receptors. Recent studies have shown that rapid exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles contributes to ATP release from liver cells. However, this rapid ATP release is transient, and ceases in ~30 s after the exposure to hypotonic solution. The purpose of these studies was to assess the role of vesicular exocytosis in sustained ATP release. An exposure to hypotonic solution evoked sustained ATP release that persisted for more than 15 min after the exposure. Using FM1-43 (N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(4-(dibutylamino)styryl)pyridinium dibromide) fluorescence to measure exocytosis, we found that hypotonic solution stimulated a transient increase in FM1-43 fluorescence that lasted ~2 min. Notably, the rate of FM1-43 fluorescence and the magnitude of ATP release were not correlated, indicating that vesicular exocytosis may not mediate sustained ATP release from liver cells. Interestingly, mefloquine potently inhibited sustained ATP release, but did not inhibit an increase in FM1-43 fluorescence evoked by hypotonic solution. Consistent with these findings, when exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles was specifically stimulated by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB), mefloquine failed to inhibit ATP release evoked by NPPB. Thus, mefloquine can pharmacologically dissociate sustained ATP release and vesicular exocytosis. These results suggest that a distinct mefloquine-sensitive membrane ATP transport may contribute to sustained ATP release from liver cells. This novel mechanism of membrane ATP transport may play an important role in the regulation of purinergic signaling in liver cells.

Contribution of P2X7 receptors to adenosine uptake by cultured mouse astrocytes

Nucleotides and nucleosides play important roles by maintaining brain homeostasis, and their extracellular concentrations are mainly regulated by ectonucleotidases and nucleoside transporters expressed by astrocytes. Extracellularly applied NAD(+) prevents astrocyte death caused by excessive activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, of which the molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Recently, exogenous NAD(+) was reported to enter astrocytes via the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R)-associated channel/pore. In this study, we examined whether the intact form of NAD(+) is incorporated into astrocytes. A large portion of extracellularly added NAD(+) was degraded into metabolites such as AMP and adenosine in the extracellular space. The uptake of adenine ring-labeled [(14)C]NAD(+), but not nicotinamide moiety-labeled [(3)H]NAD(+), showed time- and temperature-dependency, and was significantly enhanced on addition of apyrase, and was reduced by 8-Br-cADPR and ARL67156, inhibitors of CD38 and ectoapyrase, respectively, and P2X7R knockdown, suggesting that the detected uptake of [(14)C]NAD(+) resulted from [(14)C]adenosine acting as a metabolite of [(14)C]NAD(+). Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of P2X7R with brilliant blue G, KN-62, oxATP, and siRNA transfection resulted in a decrease of [(3)H]adenosine uptake, and the uptake was also reduced by low concentration of carbenoxolone and pannexin1 selective peptide blocker (10)panx. Taken together, these results indicate that exogenous NAD(+) is degraded by ectonucleotidases and that adenosine, as its metabolite, is taken up into astrocytes via the P2X7R-associated channel/pore.

Amyloid β-induced death in neurons involves glial and neuronal hemichannels

The mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease are not completely understood and how glial cells contribute to this neurodegenerative disease remains to be elucidated. Because inflammatory treatments and products released from activated microglia increase glial hemichannel activity, we investigated whether amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) could regulate these channels in glial cells and affect neuronal viability. Microglia, astrocytes, or neuronal cultures as well as acute hippocampal slices made from GFAP-eGFP transgenic mice were treated with the active fragment of Aβ. Hemichannel activity was monitored by single-channel recordings and by time-lapse ethidium uptake, whereas neuronal death was assessed by Fluoro-Jade C staining. We report that low concentrations of Aβ(25-35) increased hemichannel activity in all three cell types and microglia initiate these effects triggered by Aβ. Finally, neuronal damage occurs by activation of neuronal hemichannels induced by ATP and glutamate released from Aβ(25-35)-activated glia. These responses were observed in the presence of external calcium and were differently inhibited by hemichannel blockers, whereas the Aβ(25-35)-induced neuronal damage was importantly reduced in acute slices made from Cx43 knock-out mice. Thus, Aβ leads to a cascade of hemichannel activation in which microglia promote the release of glutamate and ATP through glial (microglia and astrocytes) hemichannels that induces neuronal death by triggering hemichannels in neurons. Consequently, this work opens novel avenues for alternative treatments that target glial cells and neurons to maintain neuronal survival in the presence of Aβ.

The P2X7 receptor-pannexin-1 complex decreases muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated seizure susceptibility in mice

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) plays a role in the release of ATP and glutamate in neurons and astrocytes. Panx1 can be opened at the resting membrane potential by extracellular ATP via the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Panx1 opening has been shown to induce neuronal death and aberrant firing, but its role in neuronal activity has not been established. Here, we report the role of the P2X7R-Panx1 complex in regulating muscarinic acetylcholine 1 (M1) receptor function. P2X7R knockout (P2X7-/-) mice showed greater susceptibility to seizures induced by pilocarpine (PILO), an M1 receptor agonist, than their WT littermates, despite having similar levels of hippocampal M1 receptor expression. This hypersensitivity to PILO in the P2X7-/- mice did not involve the GABA or glutamate system. Both administration of P2X7R antagonists and gene silencing of P2X7R or Panx1 in WT mice increased PILO-induced seizure susceptibility in a process mediated by PKC via intracellular Ca2+ release. Therefore, we suggest that the P2X7R-Panx1 complex may play an important role as a negative modulator of M1 receptor-mediated seizure activity in vivo.

Possible contribution of pannexin channel to ATP-induced currents in vitro in vasopressin neurons isolated from the rat supraoptic nucleus

Release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) from magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) is controlled by the electrical activity of these neurons. ATP plays a crucial role in the regulation of SON MNCs by activating the purinergic P2X and P2Y receptors. Recent reports of interaction between P2X receptors and pannexin channels have provided new insights into the physiology of the central nervous system; however, the function of pannexin channels has not been assessed in AVP neurons. In the present study, we examined the possible contribution of the pannexin channel in ATP-induced responses in SON AVP neurons. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in isolated rat SON MNCs that express an AVP-enhanced green fluorescent protein transgene. The ATP-induced current was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by pannexin channel blockers carbenoxolone and mefloquine, whereas the connexin channel blockers flufenamic acid and lanthanum had no effect. Multi-cell reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments confirmed the existence of pannexin-1 mRNA in AVP neurons. The involvement of the ATP-activated transient receptor potential vanilloid and acid-sensing ion channels was excluded. These results suggest that pannexin channels in SON AVP neurons are involved in the regulatory mechanisms of neuronal activity.

Electron tomographic analysis of gap junctions in lateral giant fibers of crayfish

Innexin-gap junctions in crayfish lateral giant fibers (LGFs) have an important role in escape behavior as a key component of rapid signal transduction. Knowledge of the structure and function of characteristic vesicles on the both sides of the gap junction, however, is limited. We used electron tomography to analyze the three-dimensional structure of crayfish gap junctions and gap junctional vesicles (GJVs). Tomographic analyses showed that some vesicles were anchored to innexons and almost all vesicles were connected by thin filaments. High densities inside the GJVs and projecting densities on the GJV membranes were observed in fixed and stained samples. Because the densities inside synaptic vesicles were dependent on the fixative conditions, different fixative conditions were used to elucidate the molecules included in the GJVs. The projecting densities on the GJVs were studied by immunoelectron microscopy with anti-vesicular monoamine transporter (anti-VMAT) and anti-vesicular nucleotide transporter (anti-VNUT) antibodies. Some of the projecting densities were labeled by anti-VNUT, but not anti-VMAT. Three-dimensional analyses of GJVs and excitatory chemical synaptic vesicles (CSVs) revealed clear differences in their sizes and central densities. Furthermore, the imaging data obtained under different fixative conditions and the immunolabeling results, in which GJVs were positively labeled for anti-VNUT but excitatory CSVs were not, support our model that GJVs contain nucleotides and excitatory CSVs do not. We propose a model in which characteristic GJVs containing nucleotides play an important role in the signal processing in gap junctions of crayfish LGFs.

C terminus of the P2X7 receptor: treasure hunting

P2X receptor (P2XR) is a family of the ATP-gated ion channel family and can permeabilize the plasma membrane to small cations such as potassium, sodium, and calcium, resulting in cellular depolarization. There are seven P2XR that have been described and cloned, with 45% identity in amino acid sequence. Each P2X receptors has two transmembrane domains that are separated by an extracellular loop and an intracellular N and C terminus. Unlike the other P2X receptors, the P2X7R has a larger C terminus with an extra 200 amino acid residues compared with the other receptors. The C terminus of the P2X7R has been implicated in regulating receptor function including signaling pathway activation, cellular localization, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modification (PTM). In the present review, we discuss the role of the P2X7R C terminus in regards to receptor function, describe the specific domains and motifs found therein and compare the C terminus sequence with others proteins to discover predicted domains or sites of PTM.

Neuroglial ATP release through innexin channels controls microglial cell movement to a nerve injury

Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, are attracted to sites of injury. The injury releases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into the extracellular space, activating the microglia, but the full mechanism of release is not known. In glial cells, a family of physiologically regulated unpaired gap junction channels called innexons (invertebrates) or pannexons (vertebrates) located in the cell membrane is permeable to ATP. Innexons, but not pannexons, also pair to make gap junctions. Glial calcium waves, triggered by injury or mechanical stimulation, open pannexon/innexon channels and cause the release of ATP. It has been hypothesized that a glial calcium wave that triggers the release of ATP causes rapid microglial migration to distant lesions. In the present study in the leech, in which a single giant glial cell ensheathes each connective, hydrolysis of ATP with 10 U/ml apyrase or block of innexons with 10 µM carbenoxolone (CBX), which decreased injury-induced ATP release, reduced both movement of microglia and their accumulation at lesions. Directed movement and accumulation were restored in CBX by adding ATP, consistent with separate actions of ATP and nitric oxide, which is required for directed movement but does not activate glia. Injection of glia with innexin2 (Hminx2) RNAi inhibited release of carboxyfluorescein dye and microglial migration, whereas injection of innexin1 (Hminx1) RNAi did not when measured 2 days after injection, indicating that glial cells’ ATP release through innexons was required for microglial migration after nerve injury. Focal stimulation either mechanically or with ATP generated a calcium wave in the glial cell; injury caused a large, persistent intracellular calcium response. Neither the calcium wave nor the persistent response required ATP or its release. Thus, in the leech, innexin membrane channels releasing ATP from glia are required for migration and accumulation of microglia after nerve injury.

Neuronal gap junctions are required for NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity: implications in ischemic stroke

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play an important role in cell survival versus cell death decisions during neuronal development, ischemia, trauma, and epilepsy. Coupling of neurons by electrical synapses (gap junctions) is high or increases in neuronal networks during all these conditions. In the developing CNS, neuronal gap junctions are critical for two different types of NMDAR-dependent cell death. However, whether neuronal gap junctions play a role in NMDAR-dependent neuronal death in the mature CNS was not known. Using Fluoro-Jade B staining, we show that a single intraperitoneal administration of NMDA (100 mg/kg) to adult wild-type mice induces neurodegeneration in three forebrain regions, including rostral dentate gyrus. However, the NMDAR-mediated neuronal death is prevented by pharmacological blockade of neuronal gap junctions (with mefloquine, 30 mg/kg) and does not occur in mice lacking neuronal gap junction protein, connexin 36. Using Western blots, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in wild-type and connexin 36 knockout mice, we show that the reduced level of neuronal death in knockout animals is not caused by the reduced expression of NMDARs, activity of NMDARs, or permeability of the blood-brain barrier to NMDA. In wild-type animals, this neuronal death is not caused by upregulation of connexin 36 by NMDA. Finally, pharmacological and genetic inactivation of neuronal gap junctions in mice also dramatically reduces neuronal death caused by photothrombotic focal cerebral ischemia. The results indicate that neuronal gap junctions are required for NMDAR-dependent excitotoxicity and play a critical role in ischemic neuronal death.

Ivermectin-dependent release of IL-1beta in response to ATP by peritoneal macrophages from P2X(7)-KO mice

The response to ATP of peritoneal macrophages from wild-type (WT) and P2X(7)-invalidated (KO) mice was tested. Low concentrations (1-100 μM) of ATP transiently increased the intracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in cells from both mice. The inhibition of the polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C with U73122 inhibited this response especially in WT mice suggesting that the responses coupled to P2Y receptors were potentiated by the expression of P2X(7) receptors. One millimolar ATP provoked a sustained increase in the [Ca(2+)](i) only in WT mice. The response to 10 μM ATP was potentiated and prolonged by ivermectin in both mice. One millimolar ATP increased the influx of extracellular calcium, decreased the intracellular concentration of potassium ([K(+)](i)) and stimulated the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) only in cells from WT mice. Ten micromolar ATP in combination with 3 μM ivermectin reproduced these responses both in WT and KO mice. The secretion of IL-1β was also increased by nigericin in WT mice and the secretory effect of a combination of ivermectin with ATP in KO mice was suppressed in a medium containing a high concentration of potassium. In WT mice, 150 μM BzATP stimulated the uptake of YOPRO-1. Incubation of macrophages from WT and KO mice with 10 μM ATP resulted in a small increase of YOPRO-1 uptake, which was potentiated by addition of 3 μM ivermectin. The uptake of this dye was unaffected by pannexin-1 blockers. In conclusion, prolonged stimulation of P2X(4) receptors by a combination of low concentrations of ATP plus ivermectin produced a sustained activation of the non-selective cation channel coupled to this receptor. The ensuing variations of the [K(+)](i) triggered the secretion of IL-1β. Pore formation was also triggered by activation of P2X(4) receptors. Higher concentrations of ATP elicited similar responses after binding to P2X(7) receptors. The expression of the P2X(7) receptors was also coupled to a better response to P2Y receptors.

Pathways for ATP release by bovine ciliary epithelial cells, the initial step in purinergic regulation of aqueous humor inflow

ATP release by nonpigmented (NPE) and pigmented (PE) ciliary epithelial cells is the enabling step in purinergic regulation of aqueous humor formation, but the release pathways are unknown. We measured ATP release from primary cultures of bovine mixed NPE and PE (bCE) cells and transformed bovine NPE and PE cells, using the luciferin-luciferase reaction. Hypotonicity-triggered bCE ATP release was inhibited by the relatively selective blocker of pannexin-1 (PX1) hemichannels (probenecid, 1 mM, 47 ± 2%), by a connexin inhibitor (heptanol, 1 mM, 49 ± 4%), and by an inhibitor of vesicular release (bafilomycin A1, 25 ± 2%), but not by the P2X(7) receptor (P2RX(7)) antagonist KN-62. Bafilomycin A1 acts by reducing the driving force for uptake of ATP from the cytosol into vesicles. The reducing agent dithiothreitol reduced probenecid-blockable ATP release. Similar results were obtained with NPE and PE cell lines. Pannexins PX1-3, connexins Cx43 and Cx40, and P2RX(7) were identified in native cells and cell lines by RT-PCR. PX1 mRNA expression was confirmed by Northern blots; its quantitative expression was comparable to that of Cx43 by real-time PCR. Heterologous expression of bovine PX1 in HEK293T cells enhanced swelling-activated ATP release, inhibitable by probenecid. We conclude that P2RX(7)-independent PX1 hemichannels, Cx hemichannels, and vesicular release contribute comparably to swelling-triggered ATP release. The relatively large response to dithiothreitol raises the possibility that the oxidation-reduction state is a substantial regulator of PX1-mediated ATP release from bovine ciliary epithelial cells.

Neuronal soma-satellite glial cell interactions in sensory ganglia and the participation of purinergic receptors

It has been known for some time that the somata of neurons in sensory ganglia respond to electrical or chemical stimulation and release transmitters in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The function of the somatic release has not been well delineated. A unique characteristic of the ganglia is that each neuronal soma is tightly enwrapped by satellite glial cells (SGCs). The somatic membrane of a sensory neuron rarely makes synaptic contact with another neuron. As a result, the influence of somatic release on the activity of adjacent neurons is likely to be indirect and/or slow. Recent studies of neuron-SGC interactions have demonstrated that ATP released from the somata of dorsal root ganglion neurons activates SGCs. They in turn exert complex excitatory and inhibitory modulation of neuronal activity. Thus, SGCs are actively involved in the processing of afferent information. In this review, we summarize our understanding of bidirectional communication between neuronal somata and SGCs in sensory ganglia and its possible role in afferent signaling under normal and injurious conditions. The participation of purinergic receptors is emphasized because of their dominant roles in the communication.

Intracellular cysteine 346 is essentially involved in regulating Panx1 channel activity

Pannexins constitute a family of proteins exhibiting predominantly hemichannel activity. Pannexin channels have been suggested to participate in a wide spectrum of biological functions such as propagation of calcium waves, release of IL-1β, and responses to ischemic conditions. At present, the molecular mechanisms regulating pannexin hemichannel activity are essentially unknown. Because cysteines have been shown to constitute key elements in regulating hemichannel properties of the connexin-type we performed site-directed mutagenesis of intracellular cysteine residues of Panx1. Cysteine to serine exchange (Cys → Ser) at the C-terminal position amino acid 346 led to a constitutively leaky hemichannel and subsequently to cell death. Increased channel activity was demonstrated by dye uptake and electrophysiological profiling in injected Xenopus laevis oocytes and transfected N2A cells. Mutations of the remaining intracellular cysteines did not result in major changes of Panx1 channel properties. From these data we conclude that the Cys-346 residue is important for proper functioning of the Panx1 channel.

Pannexin channels in ATP release and beyond: an unexpected rendezvous at the endoplasmic reticulum

The pannexin (Panx) family of proteins, which is co-expressed with connexins (Cxs) in vertebrates, was found to be a new GJ-forming protein family related to invertebrate innexins. During the past ten years, different studies showed that Panxs mainly form hemichannels in the plasma membrane and mediate paracrine signalling by providing a flux pathway for ions such as Ca²(+), for ATP and perhaps for other compounds, in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. Although the physiological role of Panxs as a hemichannel was questioned, there is increasing evidence that Panx play a role in vasodilatation, initiation of inflammatory responses, ischemic death of neurons, epilepsy and in tumor suppression. Moreover, it is intriguing that Panxs may also function at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as intracellular Ca²(+)-leak channel and may be involved in ER-related functions. Although the physiological significance and meaning of such Panx-regulated intracellular Ca²(+) leak requires further exploration, this functional property places Panx at the centre of many physiological and pathophysiological processes, given the fundamental role of intracellular Ca²(+) homeostasis and dynamics in a plethora of physiological processes. In this review, we therefore want to focus on Panx as channels at the plasma membrane and at the ER membranes with a particular emphasis on the potential implications of the latter in intracellular Ca²(+) signalling.