Anti-KCNK1 Antibody

The potassium channel, subfamily K, member 1 (KCNK1), is member of the superfamily of potassium channel proteins containing two pore-forming P domains (1,2) . KCNK1 is a ubiquitous human weakly inward rectifying K+ channel that is widely expressed in human tissues, and particularly abundant in brain and heart (1) . Both KCNK1 and the related protein KCNK2 contribute significantly to the passive conductance of hippocampal astrocytes (3) .

KCNK1 antibody was raised against a 17 amino acid peptide near the carboxy terminus of human KCNK1. The immunogen is located within amino acids 220 - 270 of KCNK1.

Detected in bronchial epithelial cells (PubMed:21964404) . Detected in heart left atrium and left ventricle (PubMed:17478540) . Detected in cardiac myocytes (at protein level) (PubMed:21653227) . Widely expressed with high levels in heart, brain and kidney, and lower levels in colon, ovary, placenta, lung and liver (PubMed:8605869, PubMed:9362344) . Highly expressed in cerebellum, and detected at lower levels in amygdala, caudate nucleus, brain cortex, hippocampus, putamen, substantia nigra, thalamus, dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord, pituitary, heart, kidney, lung, placenta, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, uterus and prostate (PubMed:11165377) . Detected in right and left heart ventricle and atrium, and in heart Purkinje fibers (PubMed:17478540) . Detected in bronchial epithelial cells (PubMed:21964404) .

Ion channel that contributes to passive transmembrane potassium transport and to the regulation of the resting membrane potential in brain astrocytes, but also in kidney and in other tissues (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227) . Forms dimeric channels through which potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. The channel is selective for K (+) ions at physiological potassium concentrations and at neutral pH, but becomes permeable to Na (+) at subphysiological K (+) levels and upon acidification of the extracellular medium (PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633) . The homodimer has very low potassium channel activity, when expressed in heterologous systems, and can function as weakly inward rectifying potassium channel (PubMed:8605869, PubMed:8978667, PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633, PubMed:23169818, PubMed:25001086) . Channel activity is modulated by activation of serotonin receptors (By similarity) . Heterodimeric channels containing KCNK1 and KCNK2 have much higher activity, and may represent the predominant form in astrocytes (By similarity) . Heterodimeric channels containing KCNK1 and KCNK3 or KCNK9 have much higher activity (PubMed:23169818) . Heterodimeric channels formed by KCNK1 and KCNK9 may contribute to halothane- sensitive currents (PubMed:23169818) . Mediates outward rectifying potassium currents in dentate gyrus granule cells and contributes to the regulation of their resting membrane potential (By similarity) . Contributes to the regulation of action potential firing in dentate gyrus granule cells and down-regulates their intrinsic excitability (By similarity) . In astrocytes, the heterodimer formed by KCNK1 and KCNK2 is required for rapid glutamate release in response to activation of G-protein coupled receptors, such as F2R and CNR1 (By similarity) . Required for normal ion and water transport in the kidney (By similarity) . Contributes to the regulation of the resting membrane potential of pancreatic beta cells (By similarity) . The low channel activity of homodimeric KCNK1 may be due to sumoylation (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:20498050, PubMed:23169818) . The low channel activity may be due to rapid internalization from the cell membrane and retention in recycling endosomes (PubMed:19959478) .