The KCNG1 antibody is a tool used to detect the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily G member 1 (KCNG1), a protein encoded by the *KCNG1* gene. KCNG1. also known as Kv6.1. belongs to the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel family, which regulates cellular excitability by controlling potassium ion flow during action potentials. Unlike other Kv channels, KCNG1 cannot form functional homotetramers and instead acts as a modulatory subunit, altering the biophysical properties of pore-forming alpha subunits (e.g., Kv2.1). This interaction influences neuronal and cardiac electrical signaling, impacting processes like action potential duration and repolarization.
KCNG1 is predominantly expressed in the brain, heart, and smooth muscle. Its dysregulation has been linked to neurological disorders, arrhythmias, and cancer progression. Antibodies targeting KCNG1 are essential for studying its expression, localization, and functional roles. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to explore tissue-specific distribution or pathological changes. Commercial KCNG1 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, with validation in knockout models to ensure specificity. Research using these antibodies has advanced understanding of Kv channel diversity, their regulatory mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets for channelopathy-related diseases. However, challenges remain in optimizing antibody selectivity due to structural similarities among Kv subfamilies.