Anti-Kv1.2/KCNA2 Antibody Picoband®

Overview

This antibody is intended for detection of KCNA2 (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2) in biological samples using common immunoassay formats. It is typically selected based on target identity, species reactivity, clonality/clone information, and detection modality.

Vendor notes: Boster Bio Anti-Kv1.2/KCNA2 Antibody Picoband® catalog # PB9649. Tested in Flow Cytometry, IF, ICC, WB applications. This antibody reacts with Human, Mouse, Rat. The brand Picoband indicates this is a premium antibody that guarantees superior quality, high affinity, and strong signals with minimal background in Western blot applications. Only our best-performing antibodies are designated as Picoband, ensuring unmatched performance.

Key elements and design rationale

• Antibody format: Rabbit Polyclonal Rabbit IgG
• Immunogen / epitope context: A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence at the C-terminus of human Kv1.2, identical to the related mouse and rat sequences.
• Molecular weight context: reported MW: 57 kDa; calculated MW: 56717 MW
• Reactivity: Human,Mouse,Rat
• Applications: Flow Cytometry, IF, ICC, WB

As a polyclonal antibody, the reagent recognizes multiple epitopes on the target, which can improve detection robustness but may increase sensitivity to sample-dependent epitope changes.

Biological background

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2; Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2. Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2, also known as Kv1.2, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNA2 gene. Potassium channels represent the most complex class of voltage-gated ion channels from both functional and structural standpoints. Their diverse functions include regulating neurotransmitter release, heart rate, insulin secretion, neuronal excitability, epithelial electrolyte transport, smooth muscle contraction, and cell volume. Four sequence-related potassium channel genes - shaker, shaw, shab, and shal - have been identified in Drosophila, and each has been shown to have human homolog (s). This gene encodes a member of the potassium channel, voltage-gated, shaker-related subfamily. This member contains six membrane-spanning domains with a shaker-type repeat in the fourth segment. It belongs to the delayed rectifier class, members of which allow nerve cells to efficiently repolarize following an action potential. The coding region of this gene is intronless, and the gene is clustered with genes KCNA3 and KCNA10 on chromosome 1. Functional note: Voltage-gated potassium channel that mediates transmembrane potassium transport in excitable membranes, primarily in the brain and the central nervous system, but also in the cardiovascular system. Prevents aberrant action potential firing and regulates neuronal output. Forms tetrameric potassium- selective channels through which potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. The channel alternates between opened and closed conformations in response to the voltage difference across the membrane (PubMed:19912772, PubMed:8495559, PubMed:11211111, PubMed:23769686). Can form functional homotetrameric channels and heterotetrameric channels that contain variable proportions of KCNA1, KCNA2, KCNA4, KCNA5, KCNA6, KCNA7, and possibly other family members as well; channel properties depend on the type of alpha subunits that are part of the channel (PubMed:8495559, PubMed:20220134). Channel properties are modulated by cytoplasmic beta subunits that regulate the subcellular location of the alpha subunits and promote rapid inactivation of delayed rectifier potassium channels. In vivo, membranes probably contain a mixture of heteromeric potassium channel complexes, making it difficult to assign currents observed in intact tissues to any particular potassium channel family member. Homotetrameric KCNA2 forms a delayed-rectifier potassium channel that opens in response to membrane depolarization, followed by slow spontaneous channel closure (PubMed:19912772, PubMed:23769686). In contrast, a heteromultimer formed by KCNA2 and KCNA4 shows rapid inactivation (PubMed:8495559). Regulates neuronal excitability and plays a role as pacemaker in the regulation of neuronal action potentials (By similarity). KCNA2- containing channels play a presynaptic role and prevent hyperexcitability and aberrant action potential firing (By similarity). Response to toxins that are selective for KCNA2- containing potassium channels suggests that in Purkinje cells, dendritic subthreshold KCNA2-containing potassium channels prevent random spontaneous calcium spikes, suppressing dendritic hyperexcitability without hindering the generation of somatic action potentials, and thereby play an important role in motor coordination (By similarity). Plays a role in the induction of long-term potentiation of neuron excitability in the CA3 layer of the hippocampus (By similarity). May function as down-stream effector for G protein-coupled receptors and inhibit GABAergic inputs to basolateral amygdala neurons (By similarity). May contribute to the regulation of neurotransmitter release, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (By similarity). Contributes to the regulation of the axonal release of the neurotransmitter dopamine (By similarity). Reduced KCNA2 expression plays a role in the perception of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury, but not acute pain (By similarity). Plays a role in the regulation of the time spent in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (By similarity). . Reported localization: Cell membrane ; Multi- pass membrane protein . Membrane . Cell projection, axon . Cell junction, synapse . Endoplasmic reticulum membrane . Cell projection, lamellipodium membrane . Cell junction, synapse, synaptosome . Cell junction, synapse, presynaptic cell membrane . Cell projection, dendrite . KCNA2 by itself is detected both at the endoplasmic reticulum and at the cell membrane. Coexpression with KCNA4 or with beta subunits promotes expression at the cell membrane. Coexpression with KCNA1 inhibits cell surface expression. . Expression/tissue context: Detected in brain cortex (PubMed:16473933). Detected in peroneal nerve in the juxtaparanodal regions of the node of Ranvier; expression is decreased in patients with diabetes mellitus that suffer from axonal neuropathy (PubMed:22649228). Detected in paranodal and juxtanodal zones in myelinated spinal cord (at protein level) (PubMed:11086297). .

Research relevance and current trends

• Neuroscience: Researchers commonly examine how KCNA2 (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Neurotransmission: Researchers commonly examine how KCNA2 (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.
• Potassium Channels: Researchers commonly examine how KCNA2 (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2) relates to this theme using model systems and orthogonal readouts.

Common research applications

• Western blotting: compare relative KCNA2 (Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2) levels across conditions; band patterns may reflect isoforms and processing.
• IF/ICC: evaluate subcellular localization and co-localization patterns; signal can depend on fixation/permeabilization and epitope accessibility.
• Flow cytometry: quantify target-positive populations and shifts in expression; gating strategy and background staining controls are essential.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Specificity notes: No cross reactivity with other proteins.
• Cross-reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins
• Family / similarity context: Contains 1 HMG box DNA-binding domain.
• Isoforms and PTMs: Apparent size and signal patterns can differ across splice isoforms, proteolytic processing, and post-translational modifications.
• Controls: Include an isotype control (as relevant), no-primary control for imaging, and orthogonal validation such as KD/KO samples when available.

Customization & Add-ons: Can’t find the antibody you need—or require a custom format for your assay? We can help you source the best match or support custom antibody solutions for diverse research needs, including species and isotype selection, conjugations and labeling (e.g., HRP/AP, biotin, fluorophores), purification grade options (Protein A/G, affinity purified), formulation preferences (buffer selection, carrier-free, glycerol-free), custom concentrations and aliquoting, low-endotoxin options for cell-based work, and application-focused QC/validation support (project dependent). Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support—our team will follow up with feasibility details and next steps.