Figure 1.

Panx1 interaction with purinergic signalling and role in neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the ventricular zone (VZ) and peri-infarct cortex (PI).

(A) By facilitating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release, Panx1 interaction with P2 receptors plays critical roles in NPC cellular behaviours. (B) In the peri-infarct cortex, deletion of Panx1 spares NPCs from phagocytic clearance by microglia, a process that involves P2Y₁₂ receptors. (C) Within the ventricular zone, phagocytic NPCs with scavenger P2X₇ receptors clear local NPCs; this mechanism is inhibited by ATP (“don’t eat me” signal) and therefore loss of Panx1 in NPCs makes them susceptible to elimination through “phagoptosis”. ADP: Adenosine diphosphate.