Erik K. Henze

This study maps zinc-regulated cysteine sites in the human proteome, identifies cancer dependencies, and reveals a mechanism of zinc-induced cytotoxicity in lung cancers.

This paper identifies the C-terminal activating domain (CAD) as essential for Panx1 channel opening, showing how its cleavage repositions the N-terminus to reduce anion accumulation and promote ion permeability.

The paper identifies lysophospholipids as activators of pannexin channels, showing they trigger ATP and other metabolite release, and activate inflammasomes in human monocytes.

The paper presents the cryo-EM structure of a pannexin 1 channel, revealing an extracellular gating mechanism and identifying key residues involved in ion selectivity and channel inhibition.