Evolutionary analyses of gap junction protein families

► We retrieved pannexins and connexins from several complete genome projects. ► We searched for conserved positions in pannexin and connexin independent alignments. ► We mapped evolutionary conservation onto the 3D structure of a connexon. ► Non-chordate pannexins are sister group of Ciona and vertebrate pannexin paralogs. ► The phylogeny of chordate connexins reveals five subfamilies with many paralogs.