Immunoblotting of T-type Ca(2+) channel protein in mouse brain and embryonic heart by using two antibodies against Ca(sub v)3.1 channels

Abstract

T-type Ca(2+) channels are particularly abundant in neuronal tissue and immature cardiac heart and mediate burst firing and pacemaker activity. Northern blot analyses have demonstrated that one subtype of T-type Ca(2+) channels, Ca(sub v)3.1 (alpha 1-G), mRNA is predominantly expressed in adult brain and immature heart. However, the protein expression of Ca(sub v)3.1 channels is not clear, since the anti-Ca(sub v)3.1 antibodies have not been commercially available until recently. To examine the usefulness of the new commercial antibodies against Ca(sub v)3.1; sc-16259 and sc-16260, Western blot analysis of adult brain and embryonic heart of mouse was performed. sc-16259 and sc-16260 may not be suitable for detection of Ca(sub v)3.1 channel protein in mouse tissue samples.