Channels
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Hemichannels are large pore ion channels that in the traditional view are formed when half a gap connexin junction opens to the extracellular space. It is now evident that other ion channel families, including the newly discovered pannexin family can form channels with all the nascent properties of hemichannels. ⋯ Additionally, pannexin-1 appears to play a role in neuronal death. Hemichannels form a novel and unique class of ion channels that likely have diverse physiological and pathophysiological roles in the nervous system.