REGULATION OF HEMICHANNELS AND GAP JUNCTIONS

Cx43-formed gap junctions exhibit three conductance states one of 20-30 pS, one of40-60 pS and one of70-100 pS.1,19,20 The conductance of Cx43-formed hemichannels ranges from 31 to 352 pS.21 More recently, the conductance of fully open hemichannels in HeLa-cells was found to be 220 pS however, also a sub-state of approximately 75 pS exists between the fully open and the closed state,22 suggesting that hemichannel conductance can be regulated as well. 

On Western blot, Cx43 exhibits three bands with molecular weights ranging from 41 kDa to 46 kDa depending on the number and epitopes being phosphorylated.23 26 

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