The participation of plasma membrane hemichannels to purinergic signaling

► Pannexin and connexin hemichannels represent an important route for ATP release. ► Purinergic P2Y receptors activate hemichannels to propagate inter-cellular calcium waves. ► P2X7 receptors activate multiple cell permeabilization pathways, including pannexin-1 hemichannels. ► Purinergic activation of hemichannels could represent a novel permeation pathway for different signaling metabolites.