Gα (pan) Antibody detects total levels of endogenous G protein alpha subunits. The antibody may not detect G(12)-α, G(13)-α (13), G(s)-α (s) and G(olf)-α.
Source / Purification
Polyclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing animals with a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues of human guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gα (q) subunit. Antibodies are purified by protein A and peptide affinity chromatography.
Background
Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) consist of α, β and γ subunits and mediate the effects of hormones, neurotransmitters, chemokines and sensory stimuli. To date, over 20 known Gα subunits have been classified into four families, Gα(s), Gα(i/o), Gα(q) and Gα(12), based on structural and functional similarities (1,2). Phosphorylation of Tyr356 of Gα(q)/Gα(11) is essential for activation of the G protein, since phenylalanine substitution for Tyr356 changes the interaction of Gα with receptors and abolishes ligand-induced IP3 formation (3).