Connexin-43 (Ser368) Antibody

Connexin-43 (Gap junction alpha-1 protein, GJA1) forms connexons at cell gap junctions through which materials of low MW diffuse from one cell to a neighboring cell. Connexin-43 has a critical role in the physiology of hearing by participating in the recycling of potassium to the cochlear endolymph. Connexons are composed of a hexamer of connexins. Connexin-43 is expressed in the heart and fetal cochlear. Phosphorylation of Ser368 by PKC induces a conformational change of connexin-43 that results in a decrease in gap junction permeability. Defects in connexin-43 are the cause of autosomal dominant oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD), a serious condition of cranofacial anomalies, ocular defects and sometimes deafness and cardiac abnormalities.