Kv12.1 is a voltage-gated K+ channel that belongs to the ether-a-go-go (EAG) family. The EAG family of voltage-gated K+ channels can be subdivided into three distinct groups based on sequence homology. They are the eag (Kv10) with two members, the eag-related channels (erg or Kv11) and the eag-like K+ channels (elk or Kv12) with three members each.
As all members of the family, Kv12.1 possess the signature structure of the voltage-dependent K+ channels: six membrane-spanning domains with intracellular N and C termini. As with all voltage-dependent K+ channels the functional channel is a tetramer composed of four subunits. It has been suggested that the Kv12 subfamily members can form functional heteromultimers within the subfamily.
Kv12.1 channel distribution appears to be mainly confined to the central nervous system with some expression in peripheral organs such as testis, colon and lung.
The physiological function of the Kv12.1 channel hasn’t been established, although a role in the modulation of overall excitability of neurons has been suggested.
At the moment there isn’t much pharmacological data concerning the modulation of the Kv12.1 channel except for blocking of the channel by Ba2+.
We have now produced a new Anti-Kv12.1 antibody that is directed against a highly conserved epitope of the rat protein. The antibody will probably recognize also human and mouse samples.
