Are Gap Junction Channels a Therapeutic Target and if so What Properties are Best Exploited?

Peter R. Brink

doi:10.2174/1389450023347326

Abstract

Gap junction channel selectivity, open probability, and recruitment are properties that affect the transit of solutes from cell to cell. Selectivity is the property of an open channel that acts as a discriminator, allowing the passage of specific solutes while denying transit to others. Open probability is another parameter that can affect the efficiency of cell to cell transit. Channel recruitment is another facilitating mechanism able to affect transit. Rapid alterations in any of these properties suggests that dynamic effects are possible for gap junction channel mediated cell to cell coupling. Suspect modulators presumably capable of effecting dynamic change would be the kinases. The properties of gap junction channels in the context of selectivity, open probability and recruitment are discussed here along with the ability of kinases to affect them. These processes and their regulation are also targets for regulating cell-to-cell communication through therapeutics. Clearly these same properties are ones that disease states might also opportunistically alter to affect physiological processes.

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