The Role of Pannexin 3 in Bone Biology

The document from 2016 reviews the role of Pannexin 3 (Panx3) in bone biology, highlighting its importance in skeletal formation and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Panx3 is involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix communications, regulating chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation through activation of intracellular calcium signaling pathways. It also inhibits osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and promotes cell cycle exit, affecting Wnt/β-catenin signaling and p21 activation. Panx3 knockout mice show severe skeletal abnormalities, indicating its significant role in regulating terminal differentiation of chondrocytes and promoting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13. Panx3 is upstream of Connexin 43 (Cx43) in osteogenesis and has unique functions through the ER calcium channel. The review suggests Panx3's potential as a target for new treatments for bone-related diseases and pathologies. However, the specific number of mice used in the study or human subjects, if any, is not mentioned in the summary provided.