Connexin-43 (C-terminal region) Antibody

Connexin-43 (Cx43, CXA1, Gap Junction α1) is a member of the large family of gap junction proteins. Connexins assemble as a hexamer and are transported to the plasma membrane to create a hemichannel that can associate with hemichannels on nearby cells to create cell-to-cell channels that cluster together to form gap junctions. Gap junction communication is critical for cell to cell communication during development and regulation of cell growth. Phosphorylation of connexin-43 is important in regulating both the assembly and the function of gap junctions. PKC phosphorylates Ser-368 in connexin-43 after activation of cells with phorbol esters. This phosphorylation event decreases cell-to-cell communication. In addition, the tyrosine kinase, c-Src, can interact with and phosphorylate Tyr-265 in connexin-43 leading to inhibition of gap junction communication. Thus, connexin-43 phosphorylation may be an important mode for regulating gap junctional communication.

Clone M496 was generated from a peptide fragment in the C-terminal region of human connexin-43. This sequence is highly conserved in mouse and rat connexin-43.

The antibody detects a 43 kDa* protein corresponding to the apparent molecular mass of connexin-43 on SDS-PAGE immunoblots of mouse brain. The antibody is also useful for immunofluorescent labeling of gap junctions in cells.