GORK Antibody
Description
Introduction to GORK Antibody
The GORK Antibody is a specialized immunological tool targeting the Arabidopsis thaliana GORK protein (Guard cell Outward Rectifying K⁺ channel), a key regulator of potassium efflux in plant guard cells. This antibody enables researchers to study GORK's role in stomatal closure, stress responses, and ion homeostasis . Commercial versions, such as Agrisera's AS14 2795 and PhytoAB's PHY2377A, are widely used in plant physiology research .
Functional Role of GORK in Plant Physiology
GORK facilitates K⁺ efflux during stomatal closure and responds to environmental stressors. Key functional insights include:
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Stress Activation: Upregulated under drought, cold, and ABA treatment in roots and shoots .
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Structural Architecture: Forms homotetrameric channels with voltage-sensor (S1–S4) and pore (S5–S6) domains. Cryo-EM reveals a non-domain-swapped structure at 3.0 Å resolution .
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Interaction Partners: Heteromerizes with SKOR (Stelar K⁺ Outward Rectifier) to modulate K⁺ transport .
Table 1: Key Studies Using GORK Antibodies
Technical Considerations for Use
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Sample Preparation: Use microsomal fractions for optimal detection .
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Cross-Reactivity: PhytoAB’s PHY3527A variant detects Brassica napus and B. rapa, enabling comparative studies .
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Limitations: No confirmed cross-reactivity outside Brassicaceae in current datasets .
Future Directions
Recent structural insights into GORK’s voltage-sensing mechanism open avenues for engineering stress-tolerant crops. Coupling antibody-based detection with CRISPR-edited GORK mutants could refine models of stomatal kinetics.
Product Specs
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Target Background
The GORK (Guard Cell Outward Rectifying K+ channel) is a major selective outward-rectifying potassium channel located on the guard cell membrane. It plays a crucial role in regulating stomatal movements in response to the plant's water status. The GORK channel exhibits distinct opened and closed conformations based on the voltage difference across the membrane. Depolarization activates the channel, and its conductance is modulated in a potassium-dependent manner. The channel may interact with the cytoskeleton or with regulatory proteins.
- Plants lacking functional GORK channels demonstrate enhanced K+ retention, improving their performance under hypoxic conditions. This suggests that RBOHD, a protein crucial for hypoxia-induced Ca2+ signaling, plays a key role in stress sensing and acclimation mechanisms. PMID: 28338729
- GORK is regulated by the calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK33. PMID: 28543075
- GORK clustering in puncta is associated with its gating and conductance. This clustering reflects conformational changes and (de)stabilization of the channel protein. PMID: 24517091
- Sustained activation of K+ outward current might result from an unexpected post-transcriptional regulation of the guard cell outward-rectifying K+ (GORK) channels. PMID: 23517047
