connexin 23 Activators

Connexin 23 Activators are chemical compounds that can directly or indirectly enhance the functional activity of connexin 23. These activators operate by influencing specific signaling pathways or cellular processes that connexin 23 is directly involved in. For instance, compounds like Retinoic Acid, Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), N6,2'-O-Dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cAMP), Forskolin, 8-Bromo-cAMP, 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cAMP), and Isoproterenenol function by enhancing the phosphorylation of connexin 23, a key process necessary for its functional activation. These compounds exert their effects through the retinoic acid signaling pathway, Protein Kinase C (PKC), Protein Kinase A (PKA), and adenylyl cyclase respectively, which are known to phosphorylate connexin 23 and hence enhance its activity.

Other compounds such as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Tetrodotoxin (TTX) indirectly contribute to the activation of connexin 23 by maintaining membrane depolarization, a necessary condition for the gating of connexin 23 channels. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and Meclofenamic Acid, on the other hand, modulate the gating of connexin 23 channels and alter the intercellular communication environment respectively, leading to enhanced connexin 23 activity. Genistein plays a unique role as it inhibits protein tyrosine kinases, and in doing so, alters the phosphorylation status of connexin 23, thereby indirectly enhancing its activity.