Pannexin 1 Channels as a Therapeutic Target: Structure, Inhibition, and Outlook

Pannexin 1(Panx1) channels are transmembrarie proteins that release adenosine triphosphate and play an important role in intercellular communication. They are widely expressed in somatic and nervous system tissues, and their activity has been associated with many pathologies such as stroke, eiailepsy, inflammation, and chronic pain. 'While there are a variety of small molecules known to inhibit Panxl, currently little is known about the mechanism of channel inhibition, and there is a dearth of sufficiently potent and selective drugs targeting Panx1. Herein we provide a review of the current literature on P ara1 structural biology and knownpharmacological agents that will help provide a basis for rational development of Panx1 chemical modulators.