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Pannexin 1 (Panx1) is an ubiquitously expressed protein that forms plasma membrane channels permeable to anions and moderate-sized signaling molecules (e.g., ATP, glutamate). In the nervous system, activation of Panx1 channels has been extensively shown to contribute to distinct neurological disorders (epilepsy, chronic pain, migraine, neuroAIDS, etc.), but knowledge of the extent to which these channels have a physiological role remains restricted to three studies supporting their involvement in hippocampus dependent learning. Given that Panx1 channels may provide an important mechanism for activity-dependent neuron-glia interaction, we used Panx1 transgenic mice with global and cell-type specific deletions of Panx1 to interrogate their participation in working and reference memory. Using the eight-arm radial maze, we show that long-term spatial reference memory, but not spatial working memory, is deficient in Panx1-null mice and that both astrocyte and neuronal Panx1 contribute to the consolidation of long-term spatial memory. Field potential recordings in hippocampal slices of Panx1-null mice revealed an attenuation of both long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength and long-term depression (LTD) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses without alterations of basal synaptic transmission or pre-synaptic paired-pulse facilitation. Our results implicate both neuronal and astrocyte Panx1 channels as critical players for the development and maintenance of long-term spatial reference memory in mice.

Pannexin1 (Panx1) is an ATP release channel expressed in neurons and astrocytes that plays important roles in CNS physiology and pathology. Evidence for the involvement of Panx1 in seizures includes the reduction of epileptiform activity and ictal discharges following Panx1 channel blockade or deletion. However, very little is known about the relative contribution of astrocyte and neuronal Panx1 channels to hyperexcitability. To this end, mice with global and cell type specific deletion of Panx1 were used in one in vivo and two in vitro seizure models. In the low-Mg 2+ in vitro model, global deletion but not cell-type specific deletion of Panx1 reduced the frequency of epileptiform discharges. This reduced frequency of discharges did not impact the overall power spectra obtained from local field potentials. In the in vitro KA model, in contrast, global or cell type specific deletion of Panx1 did not affect the frequency of discharges, but reduced the overall power spectra. EEG recordings following KA-injection in vivo revealed that although global deletion of Panx1 did not affect the onset of status epilepticus (SE), SE onset was delayed in mice lacking neuronal Panx1 and accelerated in mice lacking astrocyte Panx1. EEG power spectral analysis disclosed a Panx1-dependent cortical region effect; while in the occipital region, overall spectral power was reduced in all three Panx1 genotypes; in the frontal cortex, the overall power was not affected by deletion of Panx1. Together, our results show that the contribution of Panx1 to ictal activity is model, cell-type and brain region dependent.

ATP- and adenosine-mediated signaling are prominent types of glia–glia and glia–neuron interaction, with an imbalance of ATP/adenosine ratio leading to altered states of excitability, as seen in epileptic seizures. Pannexin1 (Panx1), a member of the gap junction family, is an ATP release channel that is expressed in astrocytes and neurons. Previous studies provided evidence supporting a role for purinergic-mediated signaling via Panx1 channels in seizures; using mice with global deletion of Panx1, it was shown that these channels contribute in maintenance of seizures by releasing ATP. However, nothing is known about the extent to which astrocyte and neuronal Panx1 might differently contribute to seizures. We here show that targeted deletion of Panx1 in astrocytes or neurons has opposing effects on acute seizures induced by kainic acid. The absence of Panx1 in astrocytes potentiates while the absence of Panx1 in neurons attenuates seizure manifestation. Immunohistochemical analysis performed in brains of these mice, revealed that adenosine kinase (ADK), an enzyme that regulates extracellular levels of adenosine, was increased only in seized GFAP-Cre:Panx1 f/f mice. Pretreating mice with the ADK inhibitor, idotubercidin, improved seizure outcome and prevented the increase in ADK immunoreactivity. Together, these data suggest that the worsening of seizures seen in mice lacking astrocyte Panx1 is likely related to low levels of extracellular adenosine due to the increased ADK levels in astrocytes. Our study not only reveals an unexpected link between Panx1 channels and ADK but also highlights the important role played by astrocyte Panx1 channels in controlling neuronal activity.

Previous studies indicated that a ganglioside 9acGD3 (9-O-acetyl GD3) antibody [the J-Ab (Jones antibody)] reduces GCP (granule cell progenitor) migration in vitro and in vivo . We here investigated, using cerebellar explants of postnatal day (P) 6 mice, the mechanism by which 9acGD3 reduces GCP migration. We found that immunoblockade of the ganglioside with the J-Ab or the lack of GD3 synthase reduced GCP in vitro migration and the frequency of Ca 2+ oscillations. Immunocytochemistry and pharmacological assays indicated that GCPs expressed P2Y 1 Rs (P2Y 1 receptors) and that deletion or blockade of these receptors decreased the migration rate of GCPs and the frequency of Ca 2+ oscillations. The reduction in P2Y 1 -mediated calcium signals seen in Jones-treated and GD3 synthase-null GCPs were paralleled by P2Y 1 R internalization. We conclude that 9acGD3 controls GCP migration by influencing P2Y 1 R cellular distribution and function.

Purinergic P2 receptors and gap junctions are two groups of proteins involved in the transmission of ICWs (intercellular calcium waves) between astrocytes. The extent to which ICWs spread among these glial cells depends on the amount of ATP released, which can occur through membrane channels, as well as other pathways. Our previous studies have shown that the pore-forming P2X 7 R (P2X 7 receptor) contributes to the amplification of ICW spread by providing sites of ATP release through Panx1 (Pannexin1) channels. To gain insight into the signal transduction events mediating this response we compared the properties of the P2X 7 R–Panx1 complex in astrocytes from a mouse strain (C57Bl/6) containing a naturally occurring point mutation (P451L) in the C-terminus of the P2X 7 R to that of non-mutated receptors (Balb/C mice). Electrophysiological, biochemical, pharmacological and fluorescence imaging techniques revealed that the P451L mutation located in the SH3 domain (a Src tyrosine kinase-binding site) of the C-terminus of the P2X 7 R attenuates Panx1 currents, ATP release and the distance of ICW spread between astrocytes. Similar results were obtained when using the Src tyrosine inhibitor (PP2) and a membrane-permeant peptide spanning the P451L mutation of the P2X 7 R of the C57Bl6 astrocytes. These results support the participation of a tyrosine kinase of the Src family in the initial steps mediating the opening of Panx1 channels following P2X 7 R stimulation and in the transmission of calcium signals among astrocytes.