Antigen: fusion protein amino acids 2-101 of human KCNQ1 · Clone designation: S37A-10 · Host: mouse · Isotype: IgG₁ · Application(s): ICC, IHC, IP, and WB · Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that help establish and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of living cells by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient.¹ They are present in the membranes that surround all biological cells and their main function is to regulate the flow of ions across this membrane. Whereas some ion channels permit the passage of ions based on charge, others conduct based on a ionic species, such as sodium or potassium. Furthermore, in some ion channels, the passage is governed by a gate which is controlled by chemical or electrical signals, temperature, or mechanical forces. There are a few main classifications of gated ion channels. There are voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated, other gating systems, and finally those that are classified differently, having more exotic characteristics. The first are voltage-gated ion channels which open and close in response to membrane potential. These are then seperated into sodium, calcium, potassium, proton, transient receptor, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, each of which is responsible for a unique role. Ligand-gated ion channels are also known as ionotropic receptors and they open in response to specific ligand molecules binding to the extracellular domain of the receptor protein. The other gated classifications include activation and inactivation by second messengers, inward-rectifier potassium channels, calcium-activated potassium channels, two-pore-domain potassium channels, light-gated channels, mechano-sensitive ion channels, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Finally, the other classifications are based on less normal characteristics such as two-pore channels and transient receptor potential channels.² Kv7.1 (KvLQT1) is a potassium channel protein coded by the gene KCNQ1. Kv7.1 is present in the cell membranes of cardiac muscle tissue and in inner ear neurons among other tissues.³ In the cardiac cells, Kv7.1 mediates the IKs (or slow delayed rectifying potassium) current that contributes to the repolarization of the cell, terminating the cardiac action potential and thereby the heart’s contraction.^4,5

1 Hille, B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes. 3rd (2001).

2 . What are ion channels? (2004).

3 Lang, F., Vallon, V., Knipper, M., et al. Functional significance of channels and transporters expressed in the inner ear and kidney. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 293 C1187-C1208 (2007).

4 Kurokawa, J., Bankston, J.R., Kaihara, A., et al. KCNE variants reveal a critical role of the b subunit carboxyl terminus in PKA-dependent regulation of the IKs potassium channel. Channels 3(1) 16-24 (2009).

5 Silva, J., and Rudy, Y. Subunit interaction determines IKs participation in cardiac repolarization and repolarization reserve. Circulation 112 1384-1391 (2005).

Silva, J., and Rudy, Y. Subunit interaction determines IKs participation in cardiac repolarization and repolarization reserve. Circulation 112 1384-1391 (2005).

. What are ion channels? (2004).

Lang, F., Vallon, V., Knipper, M., et al. Functional significance of channels and transporters expressed in the inner ear and kidney. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 293 C1187-C1208 (2007).

Hille, B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes. 3rd (2001).

Kurokawa, J., Bankston, J.R., Kaihara, A., et al. KCNE variants reveal a critical role of the b subunit carboxyl terminus in PKA-dependent regulation of the IKs potassium channel. Channels 3(1) 16-24 (2009).

Show all 5 Hide all but first 3