Role of Connexins and Pannexins in Bone and Muscle Mass and Function

Abstract

The fundamental role of connexins and pannexins in the development, maintenance and regeneration of both bone and muscle has been demonstrated over the last decade. It has long been known that connexins, either through gap junction channels, as hemichannels, or as channel independent signaling molecules, mediate the effect of stimuli that target bone. However, the role of pannexins in bone and whether pannexins also mediate the effects of these stimuli in bone requires more research. In skeletal muscle, the role of pannexins has become clearer and the importance of pannexins for muscle cell differentiation has been demonstrated in several studies. On the other hand, while connexins appear to only be expressed during differentiation, they also seem to have a role during disease onset and progression in muscle. In this chapter, we cover the current knowledge of the roles of connexins and pannexins in bone and muscle health and disease.