During cell differentiation, growth, and development, cells can respond to extracellular stimuli through communication channels. Pannexin (Panx) family and connexin (Cx) family are two important types of channel-forming proteins. Panx family contains three members (Panx1-3) and is expressed widely in bone, cartilage and muscle. Although there is no sequence homology between Panx family and Cx family, they exhibit similar configurations and functions. Similar to Cxs, the key roles of Panxs in the maintenance of physiological functions of the musculoskeletal system and disease progression were gradually revealed later. Here, we seek to elucidate the structure of Panxs and their roles in regulating processes such as osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and muscle growth. We also focus on the comparison between Cx and Panx. As a new key target, Panxs expression imbalance and dysfunction in muscle and the therapeutic potentials of Panxs in joint diseases are also discussed.

在细胞分化、生长和发育过程中，细胞可以通过通讯渠道对细胞外刺激做出反应。 Pannexin (Panx) 家族和连接蛋白 (Cx) 家族是通道形成蛋白的两种重要类型。 Panx家族包含三个成员（Panx1-3），广泛表达于骨、软骨和肌肉中。尽管Panx家族和Cx家族之间没有序列同源性，但它们表现出相似的配置和功能。与Cxs类似，Panxs在维持肌肉骨骼系统生理功能和疾病进展中的关键作用后来逐渐被揭示。在这里，我们试图阐明 Panxs 的结构及其在调节成骨、软骨形成和肌肉生长等过程中的作用。我们还重点关注 Cx 和 Panx 之间的比较。作为一个新的关键靶点，Panxs 表达失衡和肌肉功能障碍以及 Panxs 在关节疾病中的治疗潜力也得到了讨论。