LAUSR

What is the central question of this study? The mammalian carotid body (CB) is a peripheral chemoreceptor organ involved in O2 and CO2/H+ homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that 5‐HT, released from CB receptor cells, can stimulate adjacent glial‐like type II cells, leading to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ (Δ[Ca2+]i) and activation of ATP‐permeable pannexin‐1 (Panx‐1) channels. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of protein kinases in the 5‐HT–[Ca2+]i–Panx‐1 signalling pathway. What is the main finding and its importance? Src family kinase and protein kinase A, acting downstream from Δ[Ca2+]i, played central roles in 5‐HT‐mediated Panx‐1 channel activation. This provides new insight into mechanisms regulating CB excitation, especially in pathophysiological conditions.