Anti-Maxi Potassium channel alpha/KCNMA1 Antibody Picoband®

Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1 also known as KCa1.1, or BK channel for short, is a voltage gated potassium channel encoded by the KCNMA1 gene and characterized by their large conductance of potassium ions (K+) through cell membranes. This gene is located on 10q22.3. BK channels are activated (opened) by changes in membrane electrical potential and/or by increases in concentration of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) . It is essential for the regulation of several key physiological processes including smooth muscle tone and neuronal excitability. BK channels also contribute to the behavioral effects of ethanol in the worm C. elegans under high concentrations (> 100 mM, or approximately 0.50% BAC) .It remains to be determined if BK channels contribute to intoxication in humans.

Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1; BK channel; BKCA alpha; Calcium-activated potassium channel, subfamily M subunit alpha-1; K (VCA) alpha; KCa1.1; Maxi K channel; MaxiK; Slo-alpha; Slo1; Slowpoke homolog; Slo homolog; hSlo; KCNMA1; KCNMA, SLO

E.coli-derived human KCNMA1 recombinant protein (Position: K124-Q467) . Human KCNMA1 shares 99% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with both mouse and rat KCNMA1.

Cancer, Cancer Metabolism, Cardiovascular, Channels, Hypoxia, Immunology, Innate Immunity, Macrophage/Inflammation, Metabolism, Metabolism Processes, Pathways and Processes, Plasma Membrane, Response To Hypoxia, Signal Transduction, Vasculature

Potassium channel activated by both membrane depolarization or increase in cytosolic Ca (2+) that mediates export of K (+) . It is also activated by the concentration of cytosolic Mg (2+) . Its activation dampens the excitatory events that elevate the cytosolic Ca (2+) concentration and/or depolarize the cell membrane. It therefore contributes to repolarization of the membrane potential. Plays a key role in controlling excitability in a number of systems, such as regulation of the contraction of smooth muscle, the tuning of hair cells in the cochlea, regulation of transmitter release, and innate immunity. In smooth muscles, its activation by high level of Ca (2+), caused by ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, regulates the membrane potential. In cochlea cells, its number and kinetic properties partly determine the characteristic frequency of each hair cell and thereby helps to establish a tonotopic map. Kinetics of KCNMA1 channels are determined by alternative splicing, phosphorylation status and its combination with modulating beta subunits. Highly sensitive to both iberiotoxin (IbTx) and charybdotoxin (CTX) .

1. Entrez Gene: KCNMA1 potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily M, alpha member 1 2. Miller C (2000) . An overview of the potassium channel family. Genome Biol. 1 (4) : reviews0004.1–reviews0004.5. 3. Yuan P, Leonetti MD, Pico AR, Hsiung Y, MacKinnon R (July 2010) . Structure of the human BK channel Ca2+-activation apparatus at 3.0 A resolution. Science 329 (5988) : 182–6. Bibcode:2010Sci...329..182Y.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.