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From small ions to large molecules, cellular gates control what can pass in and out of cells. But how one such gate, called pannexin-1 (PANX1), can handle vastly different cargo sizes has remained a long-standing mystery.
In a new study, Northwestern University scientists uncovered the molecular trick behind PANX1’s versatility. The channel dilates and constricts – just like the iris of an eye – to control the flow of chemical messages, which influence everything from brain activity to inflammation and even fertility.
The findings show that PANX1 isn’t a rigid channel but a shape-shifting molecular valve that can dynamically resize to…