Fig. 5: Panx1-mediated ER Ca²⁺ release induces cellular senescence.

a, b Analysis of cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels (Fura Red) in HK-2 cells. a Shows results after Panx1 knockdown in irradiated cells; b shows results after Panx1 overexpression. The panels show the Fura red fluorescent trace over time, baseline signal levels, and the difference between maximal fluorescent signal and baseline in HK-2 cells. Line graphs show the mean trace ± SEM from n = 3 independent experiments. c–f Effects of the intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA-AM on Panx1-induced senescence. Representative images of EdU (c), SA-β-Gal and C12FDG staining (d). Images are representative of three independent experiments. Scale bars, 60 μm (C12FDG); 50 μm (SA-β-gal and EDU); e, f Representative immunoblot and quantification of p16, p21, and p53. The blot in e is representative, and quantification in f is from n = 3 independent biological replicates. Data in bar graphs are presented as means ± SD. P values were determined by one-way ANOVA with Dunnet’s correction for multiple comparisons (a, f) or a two-sided Student’s t-test (b). Exact P values are provided in the Source Data file. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.