PANX1 encodes pannexin 1, a large-pore channel protein with diverse cellular functions and disease associations. The protein primarily functions as an ATP efflux channel at the plasma membrane, facilitating the regulated release of molecules and ions smaller than 1 kDa, including ATP and UTP 1. During apoptosis, caspase-mediated opening of PANX1 channels enables selective metabolite release that modulates neighboring cell responses, including suppression of inflammation and wound healing 1. PANX1 also operates as a calcium leak channel within the endoplasmic reticulum at ER-mitochondria contact sites, leading to mitochondrial calcium overload and cellular senescence 2. In hepatic metabolism, PANX1-mediated ATP release activates the Akt-FOXO1 pathway to suppress gluconeogenesis and inhibits lipogenesis through calmodulin-JNK signaling 3. Disease associations include oocyte/embryo maturation arrest, with PANX1 mutations identified as causes of reproductive failure 4. Additionally, de novo PANX1 variants are associated with polymicrogyria, a cortical malformation causing epilepsy and developmental deficits 5. In kidney disease, PANX1 promotes cellular senescence and fibrosis following acute injury, making it a potential therapeutic target 2. The protein shows species-specific activation differences, with human variants exhibiting altered channel properties compared to mouse orthologs 6.