Issues
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
ON THE COVER
Connexin 30, which is preferentially expressed in the developing hair cell region of the cochlea, shows a reduced capacity for hemichannel function. Reliance on Cx26 hemichannels for transmembrane signaling can contribute to the greater prevalence of Cx26 dysfunction in sensorineural deafness Image © Sanchez et al., 2024. See https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.202313502. - PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Research News
Connecting the dots on connexin function
Two JGP studies reveal how small differences in a pore-lining region alter both the gap junction and hemichannel function of connexin26 and connexin30.
Commentary
What happened to the pursuit of truth?
The knowledge in our brains, not in our phones, is necessary for creative thinking and the pursuit of truth.
Viewpoint
The artificial intelligence revolution...in unethical publishing: Will AI worsen our dysfunctional publishing system?
The advent of large language models and their indiscriminate use to speed up the production of papers threatens to worsen the already dysfunctional state of the scientific literature and its publishing industry.
Articles
A pore locus in the E1 domain differentially regulates Cx26 and Cx30 hemichannel function
Two connexins, Cx26 and Cx30, are expressed in the cochlea and play vital roles in hearing. Sanchez et al. identified a sequence difference in their E1 domains that differentially affects their abilities to operate as hemichannnels and function in transmembrane signaling.
An Ala/Glu difference in E1 of Cx26 and Cx30 contributes to their differential anionic permeabilities
Kraujaliene et al. used modeling and dye uptake/transfer studies to show that an Ala/Glu difference in the E1 domains of Cx26 and Cx30 can account for their differential permeabilities to anionic permeants. The permeability profiles are conserved in gap junction channels and hemichannel configurations.
Interplay of Nav1.8 and Nav1.7 channels drives neuronal hyperexcitability in neuropathic pain
Vasylyev et al. show that the Na+ channel Nav1.8 amplifies DRG neuron excitability close to the activation potential threshold, while Nav1.7 acts closer to resting potential. Their findings suggest that full inhibition of Nav1.8 may not be required for the relief of pain due to DRG neuron hyperexcitability.
Communications
Calcium has a direct effect on thick filament activation in porcine myocardium
Mohran et al. show that calcium has a direct effect on thick filament activation in myocardium rather than an indirect effect due to calcium-mediated crosstalk between the thick and thin filaments. Their findings should be considered in developing future drug candidates to treat heart diseases.
Light induces a rapid increase in cAMP and activates PKA in rod outer segments of the frog retina
Cyclic AMP levels can be increased in the rod outer segment by 30–60% within the first second of light exposure before returning to baseline levels. Chernyshkova et al. show that a short increase in cAMP results in PKA activation and that proteins ∼70 kDa are the major targets of the phospho-PKA substrate antibody.
Email alerts
Most Read
Advertisement