While gap junctions support the exchange of a number of molecules between neighboring cells, connexin hemichannels provide communication between the cytosol and the extracellular environment of an individual cell. The latter equally holds true for channels composed of pannexin proteins, which display an architecture reminiscent of connexin hemichannels. In physiological conditions, gap junctions are usually open, while connexin hemichannels and, to a lesser extent, pannexin channels are typically closed, yet they can be activated by a number of pathological triggers. Several agents are available to inhibit channels built up by connexin and pannexin proteins, including alcoholic substances, glycyrrhetinic acid, anesthetics and fatty acids. These compounds not always strictly distinguish between gap junctions, connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels, and may have effects on other targets as well. An exception lies with mimetic peptides, which reproduce specific amino acid sequences in connexin or pannexin primary protein structure. In this paper, a state-of-the-art overview is provided on inhibitors of cellular channels consisting of connexins and pannexins with specific focus on their mode-of-action and therapeutic potential.

虽然间隙连接支持相邻细胞之间许多分子的交换，但连接蛋白半通道提供单个细胞的胞质和细胞外环境之间的通信。后者同样适用于由泛连接蛋白组成的通道，其结构让人想起连接蛋白半通道。在生理条件下，间隙连接通常是开放的，而连接蛋白半通道和较小程度的全连接蛋白通道通常是关闭的，但它们可以被许多病理触发因素激活。有几种药物可抑制连接蛋白和泛连接蛋白建立的通道，包括酒精物质、甘草次酸、麻醉剂和脂肪酸。这些化合物并不总是严格区分间隙连接、连接蛋白半通道和全连接蛋白通道，并且也可能对其他靶点产生影响。模拟肽是一个例外，它在连接蛋白或泛连接蛋白初级蛋白质结构中复制特定的氨基酸序列。在本文中，对由连接蛋白和泛连接蛋白组成的细胞通道抑制剂进行了最新概述，特别关注其作用模式和治疗潜力。