Neuropharmacology
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Coordinated interaction among cells is critical to develop the extremely complex and dynamic tasks performed by the central nervous system (CNS). Cell synchronization is in part mediated by connexins and pannexins; two different protein families that form gap junction channels and hemichannels. Whereas gap junction channels connect the cytoplasm of contacting cells and coordinate electric and metabolic activities, hemichannels communicate intra- and extra-cellular compartments and serve as diffusional pathways for ions and small molecules. ⋯ Most of the modulatory effects induced by these signaling molecules are specific to the cell type and the connexin and pannexin subtype expressed in different brain areas. In this review, we summarized and discussed most of the relevant and recently published information on the effects of signaling molecules on connexin or pannexin based channels and their possible relevance in CNS physiology and pathology. This article is part of the Special Issue Section entitled 'Current Pharmacology of Gap Junction Channels and Hemichannels'.