Theconnexin43(Cx43)proteins,whichisthepredominantproteinthatcanformgapjunctionsandnon-junctionalhemichannelsinventricularmyocardium,arecentraltothecardioprotectionaffordedbyischemicpreconditioning(IP)andmaybeischemicpostconditioning(PC)too.RecentstudiesshowedthatrecruitmentofCx43tothemitochondriainIPmightplayaroleintheproductionofreactiveoxygenspecies(ROS)thatmediatesIP.ThelocalizationofCx43atmitochondriaappearstobeimportantfortheachievedcardioprotectionandopensanewdoorforustorevealtheexactmechanismsofischemia/reperfusion(I/R)injuryandcardioprotection,anditmightbenewtargetsofpharmacologicalmodulatortoachievedcardioprotection.
