The CACNA1G gene encodes the Cav3.1 protein, a T-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV3.1) that plays critical roles in regulating low-threshold calcium currents, neuronal excitability, and pacemaker activity. These channels are characterized by rapid activation and inactivation, contributing to rhythmic electrical activity in neurons, cardiac cells, and other excitable tissues. Antibodies targeting CACNA1G are essential tools for studying the expression, localization, and function of Cav3.1 in physiological and pathological contexts.
CACNA1G antibodies are widely used in neuroscience, cardiovascular research, and cancer biology. In neurological studies, they help investigate channel involvement in epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. Aberrant CACNA1G expression has also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and abnormal smooth muscle contraction. In oncology, CACNA1G is considered a potential tumor suppressor, with epigenetic silencing observed in colorectal, gastric, and other cancers. Antibodies enable detection of Cav3.1 expression patterns, aiding biomarker studies or therapeutic targeting.
These antibodies are validated for techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. However, specificity challenges may arise due to structural similarities among calcium channel subtypes, necessitating rigorous validation. Research using CACNA1G antibodies continues to clarify its roles in cellular signaling and disease mechanisms.