Jorge E Contreras

Title(s)Professor, MED: Physiology & Membrane Biol
SchoolSchool of Medicine
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    Structural Basis of Electrical Signaling in the Heart and the Nervous System
    NIH R13NS113619Aug 1, 2019 - Jul 31, 2020
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Connexin 43: a new player in Duchenne muscular dystrophy associated cardiomyopathy
    NIH R01HL141170Sep 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2022
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Regulation of Cx26 and Cx32 Channels by Cytosolic Interdomain Interactions
    NIH R01GM101950Feb 1, 2013 - Jan 31, 2018
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Gating and Regulation of Connexin Hemichannels
    NIH R01GM099490Jul 1, 2011 - Jun 30, 2021
    Role: Principal Investigator

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    1. Decoding Connexin Hemichannels: Structure, Function, and Regulatory Mechanisms. Annu Rev Physiol. 2026 Feb; 88(1):73-98. García IE, Contreras JE. PMID: 41218630.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    2. Current advances in large-pore channels: From structure-function to physiology and disease. J Physiol. 2025 Aug; 603(15):4161-4162. Contreras JE. PMID: 40715005.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    3. Microvascular Rarefaction in the Sinoatrial Node: A Potential Mechanism for Pacemaker Dysfunction in Early HFpEF. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2025 Oct; 11(10):2107-2133. Manning D, Rivera EJ, Rhana P, Matsumoto C, Fong Z, Thai PN, Muñoz MF, Contreras JE, Kim S, Grainger N, Chiamvimonvat N, Bautista GM, Santana LF. PMID: 40704959; PMCID: PMC12471107.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    4. Connexin-43 remodelling and arrhythmias: hemichannels as key drivers of cardiac dysfunction. J Physiol. 2025 Aug; 603(15):4293-4306. Araujo PA, Muñoz M, Quan J, Contreras JE. PMID: 40320914.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    5. Endothelial TRPV4-Cx43 signalling complex regulates vasomotor tone in resistance arteries. J Physiol. 2025 Aug; 603(15):4345-4366. Burboa PC, Gaete PS, Shu P, Araujo PA, Beuve AV, Durán WN, Contreras JE, Lillo MA. PMID: 39982706; PMCID: PMC12333910.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Large-pore connexin hemichannels function like molecule transporters independent of ion conduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Aug 13; 121(33):e2403903121. Gaete PS, Kumar D, Fernandez CI, Valdez Capuccino JM, Bhatt A, Jiang W, Lin YC, Liu Y, Harris AL, Luo YL, Contreras JE. PMID: 39116127; PMCID: PMC11331127.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    7. Endothelial TRPV4/Cx43 Signaling Complex Regulates Vasomotor Tone in Resistance Arteries. bioRxiv. 2024 Jul 25. Burboa PC, Gaete PS, Shu P, Araujo PA, Beuve AV, Durán WN, Contreras JE, Lillo MA. PMID: 39091840; PMCID: PMC11291137.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    8. Control of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling by nitric oxide-dependent S-nitrosylation of Ca2+ homeostasis modulator 1 channels. Biol Res. 2024 Apr 30; 57(1):19. Puebla M, Muñoz MF, Lillo MA, Contreras JE, Figueroa XF. PMID: 38689353; PMCID: PMC11059852.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    9. Thermal escape box: A cost-benefit evaluation paradigm for investigating thermosensation and thermal pain. Neurobiol Pain. 2024 Jan-Jun; 15:100155. Dayton JR, Marquez J, Romo AK, Chen YJ, Contreras JE, Griffith TN. PMID: 38617105; PMCID: PMC11015515.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    10. Two Toxoplasma gondii putative pore-forming proteins, GRA47 and GRA72, influence small molecule permeability of the parasitophorous vacuole. mBio. 2024 Mar 13; 15(3):e0308123. Bitew MA, Gaete PS, Swale C, Maru P, Contreras JE, Saeij JPJ. PMID: 38380952; PMCID: PMC10936148.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    11. Remembrances of Dr. Michael V.L. Bennett by Iberoamerican Colleagues and Friends. Neuroscience. 2024 Jan 23. Abudara V, Araneda RC, Barrio L, Berthoud VM, Contreras JE, Eugenín E, Lerma J, Orellana JA, Palacios-Prado N, Pérez-Armendariz EM, Retamal MA, Sáez JC. PMID: 38278514.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    12. GRA47 and GRA72 are Toxoplasma gondii pore-forming proteins that influence small molecule permeability of the parasitophorous vacuole. bioRxiv. 2023 Nov 15. Bitew MA, Gaete PS, Swale C, Maru P, Contreras JE, Saeij JPJ. PMID: 38014337; PMCID: PMC10680723.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    13. Remodeled connexin 43 hemichannels alter cardiac excitability and promote arrhythmias. J Gen Physiol. 2023 07 03; 155(7). Lillo MA, Muñoz M, Rhana P, Gaul-Muller K, Quan J, Shirokova N, Xie LH, Santana LF, Fraidenraich D, Contreras JE. PMID: 37191672; PMCID: PMC10192603.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    14. A microtubule-connexin-43 regulatory link suppresses arrhythmias and cardiac fibrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2022 11 01; 323(5):H983-H995. Himelman E, Nouet J, Lillo MA, Chong A, Zhou D, Wehrens XHT, Rodney GG, Xie LH, Shirokova N, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. PMID: 36206047; PMCID: PMC9639757.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    15. Cx43 hemichannels contribute to astrocyte-mediated toxicity in sporadic and familial ALS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 03 29; 119(13):e2107391119. Almad AA, Taga A, Joseph J, Gross SK, Welsh C, Patankar A, Richard JP, Rust K, Pokharel A, Plott C, Lillo M, Dastgheyb R, Eggan K, Haughey N, Contreras JE, Maragakis NJ. PMID: 35312356; PMCID: PMC9060483.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 35     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    16. Mechanisms of ATP release in pain: role of pannexin and connexin channels. Purinergic Signal. 2021 12; 17(4):549-561. Muñoz MF, Griffith TN, Contreras JE. PMID: 34792743; PMCID: PMC8677853.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    17. Free energy and kinetics of cAMP permeation through connexin26 via applied voltage and milestoning. Biophys J. 2021 08 03; 120(15):2969-2983. Jiang W, Lin YC, Botello-Smith W, Contreras JE, Harris AL, Maragliano L, Luo YL. PMID: 34214529; PMCID: PMC8391066.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    
    18. Pannexin-1 Channels as Mediators of Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 14; 22(10). Seo JH, Dalal MS, Contreras JE. PMID: 34068881; PMCID: PMC8156193.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    19. Opening the floodgates: An emerging role for Connexin-43 hemichannels in the heart. Cell Calcium. 2021 07; 97:102410. Lillo MA, Contreras JE. PMID: 33965755.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    
    20. A method for assessing ionic and molecular permeation in connexin hemichannels. Methods Enzymol. 2021; 654:271-293. Gaete PS, Contreras JE. PMID: 34120717.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    21. ATP and large signaling metabolites flux through caspase-activated Pannexin 1 channels. Elife. 2021 01 07; 10. Narahari AK, Kreutzberger AJ, Gaete PS, Chiu YH, Leonhardt SA, Medina CB, Jin X, Oleniacz PW, Kiessling V, Barrett PQ, Ravichandran KS, Yeager M, Contreras JE, Tamm LK, Bayliss DA. PMID: 33410749; PMCID: PMC7806264.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 57     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    22. A novel voltage-clamp/dye uptake assay reveals saturable transport of molecules through CALHM1 and connexin channels. J Gen Physiol. 2020 11 02; 152(11). Gaete PS, Lillo MA, López W, Liu Y, Jiang W, Luo Y, Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 33074302; PMCID: PMC7579738.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    23. Polydisperse molecular architecture of connexin 26/30 heteromeric hemichannels revealed by atomic force microscopy imaging. J Biol Chem. 2020 12 04; 295(49):16499-16509. Naulin PA, Lozano B, Fuentes C, Liu Y, Schmidt C, Contreras JE, Barrera NP. PMID: 32887797; PMCID: PMC7864052.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    24. Myeloid Pannexin-1 mediates acute leukocyte infiltration and leads to worse outcomes after brain trauma. J Neuroinflammation. 2020 Aug 20; 17(1):245. Seo JH, Dalal MS, Calderon F, Contreras JE. PMID: 32819386; PMCID: PMC7441665.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    25. Prevention of connexin-43 remodeling protects against Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy. J Clin Invest. 2020 04 01; 130(4):1713-1727. Himelman E, Lillo MA, Nouet J, Gonzalez JP, Zhao Q, Xie LH, Li H, Liu T, Wehrens XH, Lampe PD, Fishman GI, Shirokova N, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. PMID: 31910160; PMCID: PMC7108916.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 50     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    26. Taking a close look at a large-pore channel. Elife. 2020 03 31; 9. Gaete PS, Contreras JE. PMID: 32228857; PMCID: PMC7108858.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    
    27. Uncoupled permeation through large-pore channels: ions and molecules don't always ride together. J Physiol. 2020 01; 598(2):209-210. Gaete PS, Contreras JE. PMID: 31785170; PMCID: PMC6980297.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    28. S-nitrosylation of connexin43 hemichannels elicits cardiac stress-induced arrhythmias in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mice. JCI Insight. 2019 12 19; 4(24). Lillo MA, Himelman E, Shirokova N, Xie LH, Fraidenraich D, Contreras JE. PMID: 31751316; PMCID: PMC6975272.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 39     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    29. The connexin26 human mutation N14K disrupts cytosolic intersubunit interactions and promotes channel opening. J Gen Physiol. 2019 03 04; 151(3):328-341. Valdez Capuccino JM, Chatterjee P, García IE, Botello-Smith WM, Zhang H, Harris AL, Luo Y, Contreras JE. PMID: 30530766; PMCID: PMC6400520.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    30. Daily growth patterns and age-at-recruitment of the anchoveta Engraulis ringens as indicated by a multi-annual analysis of otolith microstructure across developmental stages. J Fish Biol. 2018 Aug; 93(2):370-381. Plaza G, Cerna F, Landaeta MF, Hernández A, Contreras JE. PMID: 30069905.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Animals
    31. The syndromic deafness mutation G12R impairs fast and slow gating in Cx26 hemichannels. J Gen Physiol. 2018 05 07; 150(5):697-711. García IE, Villanelo F, Contreras GF, Pupo A, Pinto BI, Contreras JE, Pérez-Acle T, Alvarez O, Latorre R, Martínez AD, González C. PMID: 29643172; PMCID: PMC5940247.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    32. Trovafloxacin attenuates neuroinflammation and improves outcome after traumatic brain injury in mice. J Neuroinflammation. 2018 Feb 13; 15(1):42. Garg C, Seo JH, Ramachandran J, Loh JM, Calderon F, Contreras JE. PMID: 29439712; PMCID: PMC5812039.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    33. Normalization of connexin 43 protein levels prevents cellular and functional signs of dystrophic cardiomyopathy in mice. Neuromuscul Disord. 2018 04; 28(4):361-372. Gonzalez JP, Ramachandran J, Himelman E, Badr MA, Kang C, Nouet J, Fefelova N, Xie LH, Shirokova N, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. PMID: 29477453.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    34. S-nitrosylation of VASP at cysteine 64 mediates the inflammation-stimulated increase in microvascular permeability. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2017 Jul 01; 313(1):H66-H71. Zamorano P, Marín N, Córdova F, Aguilar A, Meininger C, Boric MP, Golenhofen N, Contreras JE, Sarmiento J, Durán WN, Sánchez FA. PMID: 28526707; PMCID: PMC5538862.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    35. Hepatitis E virus ORF3 is a functional ion channel required for release of infectious particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 01 31; 114(5):1147-1152. Ding Q, Heller B, Capuccino JM, Song B, Nimgaonkar I, Hrebikova G, Contreras JE, Ploss A. PMID: 28096411; PMCID: PMC5293053.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 136     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    36. Mechanism of gating by calcium in connexin hemichannels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 12 06; 113(49):E7986-E7995. Lopez W, Ramachandran J, Alsamarah A, Luo Y, Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 27872296; PMCID: PMC5150374.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 60     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    37. Glutathione release through connexin hemichannels: Implications for chemical modification of pores permeable to large molecules. J Gen Physiol. 2015 Sep; 146(3):245-54. Tong X, Lopez W, Ramachandran J, Ayad WA, Liu Y, Lopez-Rodriguez A, Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 26324677; PMCID: PMC4555470.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 24     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    38. Selective Connexin43 Inhibition Prevents Isoproterenol-Induced Arrhythmias and Lethality in Muscular Dystrophy Mice. Sci Rep. 2015 Aug 27; 5:13490. Gonzalez JP, Ramachandran J, Xie LH, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. PMID: 26311238; PMCID: PMC4550874.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 51     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    39. Larval fish feeding ecology, growth and mortality from two basins with contrasting environmental conditions of an inner sea of northern Patagonia, Chile. Mar Environ Res. 2015 May; 106:19-29. Landaeta MF, Bustos CA, Contreras JE, Salas-Berríos F, Palacios-Fuentes P, Alvarado-Niño M, Letelier J, Balbontín F. PMID: 25756898.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    40. Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome-associated Cx26 mutants produce nonfunctional gap junctions but hyperactive hemichannels when co-expressed with wild type Cx43. J Invest Dermatol. 2015 May; 135(5):1338-1347. García IE, Maripillán J, Jara O, Ceriani R, Palacios-Muñoz A, Ramachandran J, Olivero P, Perez-Acle T, González C, Sáez JC, Contreras JE, Martínez AD. PMID: 25625422; PMCID: PMC4801018.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 56     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    41. Motifs in the permeation pathway of connexin channels mediate voltage and Ca (2+) sensing. Front Physiol. 2014; 5:113. Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 24744733; PMCID: PMC3978323.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22  
    42. Divalent regulation and intersubunit interactions of human connexin26 (Cx26) hemichannels. Channels (Austin). 2014; 8(1):1-4. Lopez W, Liu Y, Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 24126106; PMCID: PMC4048337.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    43. Insights on the mechanisms of Ca(2+) regulation of connexin26 hemichannels revealed by human pathogenic mutations (D50N/Y). J Gen Physiol. 2013 Jul; 142(1):23-35. Lopez W, Gonzalez J, Liu Y, Harris AL, Contreras JE. PMID: 23797420; PMCID: PMC3691447.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 41     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    44. Voltage profile along the permeation pathway of an open channel. Biophys J. 2010 Nov 03; 99(9):2863-9. Contreras JE, Chen J, Lau AY, Jogini V, Roux B, Holmgren M. PMID: 21044583; PMCID: PMC2965955.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    45. Role of connexin-based gap junction channels and hemichannels in ischemia-induced cell death in nervous tissue. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2004 Dec; 47(1-3):290-303. Contreras JE, Sánchez HA, Véliz LP, Bukauskas FF, Bennett MV, Sáez JC. PMID: 15572178; PMCID: PMC3651737.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 113     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    46. New roles for astrocytes: gap junction hemichannels have something to communicate. Trends Neurosci. 2003 Nov; 26(11):610-7. Bennett MV, Contreras JE, Bukauskas FF, Sáez JC. PMID: 14585601; PMCID: PMC3694339.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 186     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    47. Gating and regulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 30; 100(20):11388-93. Contreras JE, Sáez JC, Bukauskas FF, Bennett MV. PMID: 13130072; PMCID: PMC208767.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 229     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    48. Activation of human polymorphonuclear cells induces formation of functional gap junctions and expression of connexins. Med Sci Monit. 2002 Aug; 8(8):BR313-23. Branes MC, Contreras JE, Sáez JC. PMID: 12165735.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    49. Gap junctions, homeostasis, and injury. J Cell Physiol. 2002 Jun; 191(3):269-82. De Maio A, Vega VL, Contreras JE. PMID: 12012322.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 41     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    50. Metabolic inhibition induces opening of unapposed connexin 43 gap junction hemichannels and reduces gap junctional communication in cortical astrocytes in culture. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Jan 08; 99(1):495-500. Contreras JE, Sánchez HA, Eugenin EA, Speidel D, Theis M, Willecke K, Bukauskas FF, Bennett MV, Sáez JC. PMID: 11756680; PMCID: PMC117588.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 247     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
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