The KCNQ3 antibody is a laboratory-generated tool designed to detect and study the KCNQ3 protein, a member of the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel family. KCNQ3. encoded by the *KCNQ3* gene, forms heteromeric complexes primarily with KCNQ2 subunits to generate the M-current (IKM), a slowly activating potassium current critical for regulating neuronal excitability. This current stabilizes resting membrane potential and controls repetitive firing in neurons. Dysfunction of KCNQ2/KCNQ3 channels is linked to neurological disorders, notably benign familial neonatal epilepsy (BFNE) and developmental epileptic encephalopathies.
KCNQ3 antibodies are widely used in neuroscience research to investigate channel expression, localization, and functional interactions. They enable detection of KCNQ3 in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, often applied to brain tissues or transfected cell models. Specificity validation (e.g., knockout controls) is essential to ensure accurate identification, given structural similarities among Kv channels.
Research utilizing these antibodies has advanced understanding of KCNQ3’s role in neuronal physiology, its contribution to disease mechanisms, and its potential as a therapeutic target. Studies also explore how mutations or pharmacological modulators alter channel trafficking or activity. Overall, KCNQ3 antibodies serve as vital tools for unraveling the pathophysiology of KCNQ-related channelopathies and developing targeted treatments.