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Jorge Contreras, PhD

April 13, 2023 @ 11:00 am 12:00 pm

Connexin-43 hemichannels as mediators of cardiac stress-induced arrhythmias and myocardial infarction 

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant gap junction channel-forming isoform in cardiac ventricles. In multiple cardiac pathologies, Cx43 is found to be remodeled to the lateralized side of intercalated discs of unhealthy cardiomyocytes. We recently demonstrated that these remodeled Cx43 proteins function as non-junctional channels (hemichannels). The opening of remodeled Cx43 hemichannels mediates cardiac stress-induced arrhythmias and ventricle infarction. We propose that Cx43 hemichannels are an important therapeutic target for the prevention of arrhythmogenic phenotypes displayed in many cardiovascular pathologies.    


Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine

MR5 Room 3005