Localization of Voltage-Gated K⁺ Channels

The importance of intracellular voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels is now being recognized. Creative Bioarray is committed to providing our clients with detailed information on the distribution of Kv channels that can help to determine the function of subcellular local Kv channels.

Introduction

Kv channels are a large class of channels that can transfer potassium ions and are sensitive to changes in voltage. These channels are major determinants of cellular excitability in the mammalian nervous system and are implicated in the regulation of potassium transfer and membrane potential in excitable cells, including neurons and cardiac myocytes. Kv channels contribute to a variety of cellular functions including cell migration, proliferation, wound healing, oxygen sensing, and apoptosis. In addition, they may influence the regulation of intracellular calcium ions and cell volume.

The localization of Kv channels to different cellular compartments affects components of neuronal function, including resting membrane potential, action potential characteristics, and neurotransmitter release. Scientists have found that mutations or abnormal expression of Kv channels always accompany fatal disorders such as seizure disorders, epileptic seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, understanding the distribution of Kv channels can help to determine the function of subcellular local ion channels and thus reveal the physiological and pathophysiological significance of Kv channels.

Fig. 1 Localization of Kv1.3 protein in cancer cells and human brain tissues. (Jang, 2015)

Our Services

The function of intracellular Kv channels has been revealed, but further studies are still needed. Our research team works hard to help our clients to study the distribution of Kv channels in the plasma membrane and in the nuclear region of the cell. The localization information we provide combined with characterization information obtained by electrophysiological, pharmacological, and molecular biology techniques will help our clients to gain insight into the physiological function and pathological significance of Kv channels. The services we provide include but are not limited to:

• Subcellular localization of Kv2.1 and Kv3 subfamilies in the nucleus and mitochondria.
• Localization of Kv channels in the nucleus of cancer cells and brain tissue.
  We provide one-stop services for the localization of Kv1.3 channels, including subcellular fractionation, nuclear membrane purification, flow cytometry measurement of nuclear membrane potential, western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.
• Localization of cardiac Kv channels.
  We help our clients analyze the distribution and expression of various Kv channels expressed across the myocardium.
• Surface expression analysis and localization of Kv channels in neurons.
  We help clients to analyze the surface density and distribution of Kv channels in functionally discrete areas, including axons and dendrites and their sub-regional compartments.

Applications

• Study on the neurological disease relevance of Kv channels
• Study on the role of Kv channels in proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation
• Study on the regulatory mechanisms of Kv channel localization and function

With extensive expertise and scientific experience in the field of ion channels, Creative Bioarray offers our clients professional services for the localization of Kv channels. Our reliable scientific services and flexible experimental strategies will make an important contribution to your research in the field of ion channels. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Jang, S. H.; et al. Nuclear localization and functional characteristics of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1. 3. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2015, 290(20): 12547-12557.