Abstract

Connexin36 (Cx36) is highly expressed in inhibitory and excitatory neurons as well as pancreatic beta- cells, where it forms gap junction channels that coordinate metabolic and electrical responses. In addition, Cx36 forms hemichannels in pancreatic beta- cells, where it may play a critical role in endocrine cell signaling. Despite this, the regulatory mechanisms and biophysical properties of Cx36 HCs remain poorly understood. Using HeLa cells lacking endogenous expression of large- pore channels and transfected with mouse Cx36- EGFP, we evaluated hemichannel activity through dye uptake assays and membrane current recordings. We found that Cx36 hemichannel activity is strongly hemichannels exhibited increased permeability to small molecules and were blocked signaling.