The GNAT1 antibody is a crucial tool for studying the alpha subunit of the G-protein transducin, encoded by the *GNAT1* gene, which plays a pivotal role in phototransduction in vertebrate retinal rod cells. Expressed predominantly in rod photoreceptors, GNAT1 couples with light-activated rhodopsin to initiate the visual signaling cascade. Upon photon absorption, rhodopsin activates GNAT1. triggering the exchange of GDP for GTP. This activates phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6), which hydrolyzes cGMP, leading to the closure of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels and hyperpolarization of the photoreceptor—a key step in converting light into neural signals.
GNAT1 antibodies are widely used in research to investigate retinal function, inherited visual disorders (e.g., congenital stationary night blindness, CSNB), and GNAT1 expression patterns. They enable techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to localize and quantify GNAT1 in tissues or cell models. Validated antibodies are essential for distinguishing GNAT1 from homologous G-protein subunits (e.g., GNAT2 in cones) and assessing mutations affecting protein stability or function.
Dysregulation of GNAT1 is linked to impaired dark adaptation and vision loss, making these antibodies valuable for both basic research and diagnostic applications. Specificity is often confirmed using knockout controls or epitope mapping. Commercial GNAT1 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, with clones validated for sensitivity across species like humans, mice, and bovine models.