TY - JOUR
T1 - Anti-parasitic drugs modulate the non-selective channels formed by connexins or pannexins
AU - Güiza, Juan
AU - Arriagada, Javiera
AU - Rodríguez, Luis
AU - Gutiérrez, Camila
AU - Duarte, Yorley
AU - Sáez, Juan C.
AU - Vega, José L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/10/1
Y1 - 2021/10/1
N2 - The proteins connexins, innexins, and pannexins are the subunits of non-selective channels present in the cell membrane in vertebrates (connexins and pannexins) and invertebrates (innexins). These channels allow the transfer of ions and molecules across the cell membrane or, and in many cases, between the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. These channels participate in various physiological processes, particularly under pathophysiological conditions, such as bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Interestingly, some anti-parasitic drugs also block connexin- or pannexin-formed channels. Their effects on host channels permeable to molecules that favor parasitic infection can further explain the anti-parasitic effects of some of these compounds. In this review, the effects of drugs with known anti-parasitic activity that modulate non-selective channels formed by connexins or pannexins are discussed. Previous studies that have reported the presence of these proteins in worms, ectoparasites, and protozoa that cause parasitic infections have also been reviewed.
AB - The proteins connexins, innexins, and pannexins are the subunits of non-selective channels present in the cell membrane in vertebrates (connexins and pannexins) and invertebrates (innexins). These channels allow the transfer of ions and molecules across the cell membrane or, and in many cases, between the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. These channels participate in various physiological processes, particularly under pathophysiological conditions, such as bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Interestingly, some anti-parasitic drugs also block connexin- or pannexin-formed channels. Their effects on host channels permeable to molecules that favor parasitic infection can further explain the anti-parasitic effects of some of these compounds. In this review, the effects of drugs with known anti-parasitic activity that modulate non-selective channels formed by connexins or pannexins are discussed. Previous studies that have reported the presence of these proteins in worms, ectoparasites, and protozoa that cause parasitic infections have also been reviewed.
KW - Anti-parasitic drugs
KW - Chagas diseases
KW - Malaria
KW - Neglected tropical diseases
KW - Sleeping sickness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85109198610&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166188
DO - 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166188
M3 - Article
C2 - 34102257
AN - SCOPUS:85109198610
SN - 0925-4439
VL - 1867
JO - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
JF - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
IS - 10
M1 - 166188
ER -