Abstract
Gap junctions are intercellular channels formed by two hemichannels provided by adjacent cells. Hemichannels, in turn, are assembled by protein subunits known as connexins (Cxs). Functional hemichannels can also remain unpaired and allow the release of paracrine signals or Ca2+ entry. In addition to connexins, pannexin-1 (Panx-1), a member of another protein family that only forms hemicha…