Antigen: fusion protein amino acids 362-427 of mouse Kir2.2 · Clone designation: S24-1 · Host: Mouse · Isotype: IgG₁ · Application(s): IHC 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 Kir2.2 participates in establishing action potential waveform and excitability of neuronal and muscle tissues. This gene encodes an inwardly rectifying potassium ion channel which may be blocked by divalent cations. This protein is thought to be one of multiple inwardly rectifying channels which contribute to the cardiac inward rectifier current (IK1).³ The gene is located within the Smith-Magenis syndrome region on chromosome 17.

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

2 . What are ion channels? (2004).

3 Zobel, C., Cho, H.C., Nguyen, T., et al. Molecular dissection of the inward rectifier potassium current (IK1) in rabbit cardiomyocytes: Evidence for heteromeric co-assembly of Kir2.1 and Kir2.2. J Physiol 550(2) 365-372 (2003).

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

. What are ion channels? (2004).

Zobel, C., Cho, H.C., Nguyen, T., et al. Molecular dissection of the inward rectifier potassium current (IK1) in rabbit cardiomyocytes: Evidence for heteromeric co-assembly of Kir2.1 and Kir2.2. J Physiol 550(2) 365-372 (2003).