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. 2014 Oct 29;2(10):e12189. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12189

Western blot analysis of BK channel β1‐subunit expression should be interpreted cautiously when using commercially available antibodies

Yogesh Bhattarai 1, Roxanne Fernandes 2, Mark M Kadrofske 3, Lizbeth R Lockwood 3, James J Galligan 1,2, Hui Xu 1,2
PMCID: PMC4254108  PMID: 25355855

Abstract

Large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels consist of pore‐forming α‐ and accessory β‐subunits. There are four β‐subunit subtypes (β1–β4), BK β1‐subunit is specific for smooth muscle cells (SMC). Reduced BK β1‐subunit expression is associated with SMC dysfunction in animal models of human disease, because downregulation of BK β1‐subunit reduces channel activity and increases SMC contractility. Several anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies are commercially available; however, the specificity of most antibodies has not been tested or confirmed in the tissues from BK β1‐subunit knockout (KO) mice. In this study, we tested the specificity and sensitivity of six commercially available antibodies from five manufacturers. We performed western blot analysis on BK β1‐subunit enriched tissues (mesenteric arteries and colons) and non‐SM tissue (cortex of kidney) from wild‐type (WT) and BK β1‐KO mice. We found that antibodies either detected protein bands of the appropriate molecular weight in tissues from both WT and BK β1‐KO mice or failed to detect protein bands at the appropriate molecular weight in tissues from WT mice, suggesting that these antibodies may lack specificity for the BK β1‐subunit. The absence of BK β1‐subunit mRNA expression in arteries, colons, and kidneys from BK β1‐KO mice was confirmed by RT‐PCR analysis. We conclude that these commercially available antibodies might not be reliable tools for studying BK β1‐subunit expression in murine tissues under the denaturing conditions that we have used. Data obtained using commercially available antibodies should be interpreted cautiously. Our studies underscore the importance of proper negative controls in western blot analyses.

Keywords: Anti‐BK channel β1‐subunit antibody, BK β1‐subunit expression, BK β1‐subunit knockout, sensitivity and specificity, smooth muscle cell

Commercially available anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies either detected protein bands of the appropriate molecular weight in tissues from both WT and BK β1‐KO mice or failed to detect protein bands at the appropriate molecular weight in tissues from WT mice. These commercially available antibodies are not reliable tools for studying BK β1‐subunit expression in murine tissues. Data obtained using these antibodies should be interpreted cautiously.

Introduction

BK (large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+) channels are expressed in many mammalian cell types and BK channel activity is an important regulator of cell excitability. BK channels are composed of pore‐forming α‐subunits and accessory β‐subunits that modulate α‐subunit Ca2+ sensitivity and channel activity (Nelson et al. 1995; Brenner et al. 2000). There are four subtypes (β1–β4) of BK channel β‐subunits. The BK β1‐subunit is largely smooth muscle cell (SMC) specific, although it has been found in the distal nephron of murine kidney (Grimm et al. 2007), BK β2‐ and β3‐subunits are expressed in endocrine cells (Xia et al. 1999; Braun et al. 2008), while BK β4‐subunits are expressed in neurons (Meera et al. 2000) and in the distal nephron of the kidney (Grimm et al. 2007). In SMCs, BK channels stabilize membrane potential and excitability through negative feedback modulation. Activation of BK channels causes SMC hyperpolarization, L‐type Ca2+ channel closure, and SMC relaxation (Nelson et al. 1995). Downregulation of BK β1‐subunit expression may contribute to human diseases including metabolic disorders (Zhang et al. 2010), hypertension (Yang et al. 2013), heart failure (Wan et al. 2013), asthma (Semenov et al. 2011), maladaption of uteroplacental circulation (Hu et al. 2012), urinary bladder overactivity (Petkov et al. 2001), and gastrointestinal motility disorders (France et al. 2012). Downregulation of BK β1‐subunit expression reduces α‐subunit Ca2+ sensitivity, therefore, causing SMC membrane depolarization and increased muscle contractility (Brenner et al. 2000; Plüger et al. 2000; Xu et al. 2011). BK β1‐subunit expression in pathological situations is mainly affected by signaling at the post‐transcriptional level where protein synthesis is reduced (Nelson et al. 1995; Grimm et al. 2009; Xu et al. 2011; Shi et al. 2013a) or protein degradation is accelerated (Zhang et al. 2010; Lu et al. 2012). Therefore, accurate measurement of BK β1‐subunit protein expression is crucial in studies of BK channel dysfunction in diseases.

The anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies used in published studies are either custom made (Lu et al. 2012; Yi et al. 2014) or purchased commercially. BK β1‐subunit protein expression is typically measured using western blot analysis. Importantly, the specificity and sensitivity of commercially available BK β1‐subunit antibodies have not been tested or confirmed in tissues from BK β1‐subunit knockout (KO) mice, although BK β1‐KO mice have been generated by two research groups (Brenner et al. 2000; Plüger et al. 2000). Recently, the specificity of commercially available antibodies has been questioned if antibody reactivity is not carefully characterized by using proper controls – for example, testing the antibody in tissues from knockout mice (Saper 2005). BK β1‐KO mice have been widely used as an animal model to study the contribution of BK channel dysfunction in hypertension (Grimm et al. 2007; Xu et al. 2011), kidney dysfunction (Grimm et al. 2007, 2009) septic shock (Xu et al. 2012, 2014), heart failure (Wan et al. 2013), asthma (Evseev et al. 2013), metabolic disorders (Lynch et al. 2013), irritable bowel syndrome (France et al. 2012), and urinary bladder overactivity (Petkov et al. 2001). These studies have demonstrated the functional deficiencies of BK channel in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice. Conclusions about the physiological significance of BK β1‐subunits in health and disease have been based, in part, on studies done in mice.

We used western blot analysis to test the specificity and sensitivity of six commercially available BK β1‐subunit antibodies from five manufacturers in BK β1‐subunit enriched SM tissues (mesenteric arteries, MA, and colons) and non‐SM tissues (cortex of kidney) from wild‐type (WT) and BK β1‐KO mice (Brenner et al. 2000; Grimm et al. 2007). We confirmed that BK β1‐KO mice lack β1‐subunit mRNA using RT‐PCR analysis.

Materials and Methods

Animals

Homozygous breeder male and female BK β1‐KO mice were a gift from Dr. Robert Brenner (University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio). BK β1‐KO mice are congenic as a result of seven generations of inbreeding to the C57BL/6 line and maintained originally as homozygous lines at Michigan State University (Xu et al. 2011, 2012, 2014; France et al. 2012). Pups of BK β1‐KO mice were weaned at 3 weeks. Age‐matched WT (C57BL/6) mice were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME). All mice were fed a normal diet. Mice used in our studies were at 20–24 weeks of age (male). All studies were conducted in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication No. 85–23, revised 1996) and approved by the Michigan State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Western blot

Mesenteric arteries, colons, and cortex of kidney from WT and BK β1‐KO mice were isolated in cold Krebs solution and stored in −80°C until ready to be processed. Tissue was homogenized with a mortar and pestle that had been precooled with liquid nitrogen. Tissues were lysed with 1× lysis buffer (62.5 mol/L Tris HCl pH 6.8, 2% SDS, 10% Glycerol,) containing protease inhibitor cocktail (2 μL/100 μL lysis buffer) (P8340; Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), 10 mmol/L sodium fluoride (S7920; Sigma‐Aldrich), and 1 mmol/L sodium orthovanadate (S6508; Sigma‐Aldrich). Protein levels were quantified with Sigma's Bicinchoninic Assay (BCA1 and B9643; Sigma‐Aldrich). Samples were mixed 1:1 with 2× sample buffer (62.5 mmol/L Tris HCl pH 6.8, 2% SDS, 25% (w/v) glycerol, 0.01% bromophenol blue) (161‐0737; Bio‐Rad, Hercules, CA) containing 0.713 mol/L 2‐mercaptoethanol (M6250; Sigma‐Aldrich) and boiled for 5 min at 95–100°C. Protein (30–100 μg for MA and colons, 500 μg for kidney) were loaded on SDS‐PAGE (10–12%) gel along with the full‐range rainbow molecular weight marker (RPN800E; GE Healthcare, Pittsburgh, PA); separated at 100–120 V in running buffer (50 mmol/L Tris base, 384 mmol/L glycine, 0.1% SDS), and electrotransferred in transfer buffer (25 mmol/L Tris base, 192 mmol/L glycine, 20% methanol, overnight at 30 V (or at 100 V for 1 h) onto Amersham Hybond ECL Nitrocellulose Membrane (RPN68D; GE Healthare) or PVDF membrane (IPVH00010; EMD Millipore, Billerica, MA). Ponceau S was used to verify efficient protein transfer and to verify equal amounts of total protein loaded per lane. Samples were blocked for 1 h at room temperature in 5% milk‐TBS‐T, 5% BSA‐TBS‐T, or 4% chicken ovalbumin‐TBS‐T.

We tested six commercially available BK β1‐subunit antibodies from five manufacturers (Table 1). We also tested an anti‐BK α‐subunit antibody (APC‐107, anti‐KCa1.1, 1:500; Alomone Labs, Jerusalem, Israel) in protein extracts from colons and kidneys, to confirm BK channel expression in these tissues. Protein loading and transfer were confirmed by reblotting for β‐actin (A2228, anti‐β‐Actin, 1:1000; Sigma‐Aldrich) on each membrane after the BK β1‐subunit antibody was stripped. Membranes were blotted overnight at 4°C or 2 h at room temperature, with anti‐BK α‐ or β1‐subunit primary antibodies used at the manufacturers' suggested dilutions and after primary antibody incubation with antigen peptide (1:100) overnight (Table 1). The following day membranes were washed 3 × 10 min intervals with TBS‐T, and blotted with the appropriate HRP‐conjugated secondary antibodies (Table 1) for 1 h at room temperature in blocking solution. Membranes were then washed with TBS‐T for 3 × 10 min. Blots were imaged with Super Signal West Dura Extended Duration Substrate (34076; Thermo Scientific‐Pierce, Rockford, IL) using a LICOR‐FC imager, or using the Enhanced Chemiluminescence (ECL) Plus Western Blotting Detection System (RPN2133, GE Healthcare).

Table 1.

List of commercially available anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies used in current studies

Manufacturer Catalog # Immunogen MW (kDa) Reactivity Concentration Secondary Ab
Alomone APC‐036 2–17 28 H, R, M 1:100–1000 Anti‐Rabbit 1:2000 (sc‐2313; 7074S)
Abcam Ab3587 90–103 35 H, R, M 1:500 Anti‐Rabbit 1:2000 (#7074S)
Pierce PA1‐924 90–103 28 H, R, M 1:100‐1000 Anti‐Rabbit 1:2000 (sc‐2313; 7074S)
Pierce PA5‐28284 1–191 28 H, M 1:100–1000 Anti‐Rabbit 1:2000 (sc‐2313)
Santa Cruz sc‐14749 1–191 28 H, R, M 1:200 Anti‐Goat 1:500 (sc‐2056)
Biorbyt orb‐101774 10–80 21 H, R, M 1:100–500 Anti‐Rabbit 1:2000 (sc‐2313; 7074S)
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MW, manufacturer‐recommended molecular weight; H, human; R, rat; M, mouse; sc‐1213, donkey anti‐rabbit IgG‐conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; sc‐2056, donkey anti‐goat IgG‐conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, Santa Cruz Biotechnology; 7074S, goat anti‐rabbit IgG‐conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, Cell Signaling.

Real‐time RT‐PCR

Mesenteric arteries, colons, and cortex of kidney were collected and stored in All Protect Reagent (76405; Qiagen, Valencia, CA) until ready to be processed. Total RNA was isolated with the MELT Total Nucleic Acid Isolation System kit (AM1983; Ambion, Carlsbad, CA) following the manufacturer's instructions. RNA isolates were reverse transcribed using High Capacity RNA to cDNA kits (4387406; Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA), following the manufacturer's protocols. As a control for genomic DNA contamination, all cDNA synthesis reactions were set up with additional samples lacking reverse transcriptase. Resultant cDNA was used for real‐time PCR assays. Reactions (20 μL) were prepared with TaqMan Fast Advanced master mix (4444556, Applied Biosystems) and inventoried with TaqMan Gene Expression assays (Mm00466621_m1 for KCNMB1, Rn01775763_g1 for Gapdh, Applied Biosystems). Samples were analyzed in duplicate. Real‐time RT‐PCR products at 40 cycles were also determined by agarose gel analysis (1.5% TBE agarose gel at 100 V for 1 h).

Results

Western blots in MA, colons, and kidneys from WT and BK β1‐KO mice

In SM tissues, APC‐036 (Alomone Labs) and PA5‐28284 (Thermo Scientific‐Pierce) anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies detected protein bands at ~28 kDa (manufacturer suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein) in MA and colonic tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice, (Fig 1A, 1B). Ab3587 (Abcam, Cambridge, MA) anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibody detected a protein band at ~38 kDa (manufacturer's suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein) in MA and colons from WT and BK β1‐KO mice (Fig 1C). Signals were blocked after preincubation of the Ab3587 antibody with its competing peptide (Ab5023) (Fig 1C). PA1‐924 (Thermo Scientific‐Pierce) anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies detected a protein band at ~40 kDa in MA and colons from WT and BK β1‐KO mice, but not at ~28 kDa (manufacturer suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein) (Fig 1D). The sc‐14749 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX) and Orb‐101774 (Biorbyt, San Francisco, CA) antibodies detected multiple protein bands in MA and colonic tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. However, none of these protein bands corresponded to a protein with a molecular weight of ~28 kDa or ~21 kDa (the manufacturer's suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein) in tissues from WT mice, even when gels were loaded with 80 μg of protein and incubated with high concentration of primary antibody (1:100) (Fig 1E, 1F). Protein loading and transfer were confirmed by β‐actin immune blot (Fig 1E). We repeated sc‐14749 and Orb‐101774 immunoblotting using a variety of protocols (See Methods). Results obtained using modified approaches were similar to the results described above. Tissues from six to eight animals were tested in each group.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Representative western blot obtained using anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibodies in MA, colonic, or kidney tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice, (A) Alomone Labs (APC‐036), (B) Pierce (PA5‐28284), and (C) Abcam (Ab3587) antibodies detected a protein band at ~28 kDa or ~38 kDa in colons or MA from both mice. The bands in Abcam sets were diminished after preincubation of the primary antibody with the competing peptide. (D) Pierce (PA1‐924), (E) Santa Cruz (sc‐14749), and (F) Biorbyt (orb‐101774) antibodies did not detect any band at ~28 kDa or ~21 kDa in MA or colons from WT mice. (G) Alomone Labs (APC‐036), Pierce (PA1‐924), Abcam (Ab3587), and Biorbyt (Orb‐101774) antibodies did not detect protein band at ~28 kDa, ~38 kDa, or ~21 kDa in kidneys from WT mice. (H) Pierce (PA5‐28284) and (I) Santa Cruz (sc‐14749) antibodies detected the protein band at ~28 kDa in kidneys from both mice. β‐actin was reblotted on each membrane after anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibody was stripped. All representative blot images from kidney are in the tissue from same WT or BK β1‐KO mouse, and blotted with primary anti‐BK β1‐subunit antibody at 1:200. Arrows indicate the manufacturer's recommended molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein.

In kidney tissues, APC‐036 (Alomone Labs), PA1‐924 (Thermo Scientific‐Pierce), and Ab3587 (Abcam) antibodies detected several faint protein bands in kidneys from WT and BK β1‐KO mice (Fig 1G). None of these protein bands corresponded to a protein with the manufacturer's suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein in tissues from WT mice only (Fig 1G). The Orb‐101774 (Biorbyt) antibody detected two distinct protein bands in tissues from WT and BK β1 subunit KO mice, but failed to detect a band at ~21 kDa in tissues from WT mice (Fig 1G). PA5‐28284 (Thermo Scientific‐Pierce) and sc‐14749 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) detected protein bands at the manufacturer's suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein, but the bands were identical in tissues from both WT and BK β1‐KO mice (Fig 1H, 1I). Protein loading and transfer in each membrane were confirmed by β‐actin immune blots. Tissues from two animals were tested in each group.

BK β1‐subunit mRNA expression in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice

To confirm the BK β1‐subunit gene has been deleted in BK β1‐KO mice, we measured expression of BK β1‐subunit mRNA levels in MA, colons, and cortex of kidneys from WT and BK β1‐KO mice using real‐time RT‐PCR. After 40 PCR cycles, the Ct values of BK β1‐subunit mRNA levels in MA, colons, and kidneys from WT mice were ~25, ~24, and ~29, respectively (Fig 2A,) but BK β1‐subunit mRNA was undetectable in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice (Fig 2A). Tissues from six to eight animals were tested in each group.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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(A) Representative amplification plots and agarose gel separation of real‐time RT‐PCR analysis of BK β1‐subunit and GAPDH in MA, colons, and kidneys from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. The expression threshold was set at 0.22, a level above background fluorescence but within the linear phase of the amplification plot. The intersection between the threshold level and the amplification plot is the Ct value, which correlates with the amount of template in the sample. Ct values over 35 are excluded, as these values approach the sensitivity limits of the Taqman assay. Amplification of real‐time RT‐PCR products was seen at 75 bp in tissues from WT animals only. Con, nontemplate control. (B) Representative western blot obtained using anti‐BK α‐subunit antibody in colonic and kidney tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. Antibody detected a protein band at ~100 kDa in all tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. The signals are blocked by preincubation with the antibody competing peptide (CP). Arrows indicate the manufacturer's recommended molecular weight of BK α‐subunit protein.

Expression of BK α‐subunit in colons and kidneys

APC‐107 anti‐BK α‐subunit detected a protein band at ~100 kDa (manufacturer suggested molecular weight) in colonic and kidney tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. Western blot signals were blocked after preincubation of the APC‐107 antibody with its competing peptide (Fig 2B).

Discussion

We tested the specificity and sensitivity of commercially available BK β1‐subunit antibodies using tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice, and found that under denaturing conditions these antibodies lacked either specificity or sensitivity for BK β1‐subunit in BK β1‐subunit enriched tissues from C57BL/6 mice. The antibodies evaluated in this study have been used previously in different tissues including blood vessels, tracheal smooth muscle cells, and kidney from rats, mice, and humans (Matharoo‐Ball et al. 2003; Chang et al. 2006; Grimm et al. 2007, 2009; Yang et al. 2009, 2013; Albarwani et al. 2010; Xie et al. 2010; Zhang et al. 2010; Howitt et al. 2011; Ahn et al. 2012; Loot et al. 2012; Lu et al. 2012; Evseev et al. 2013; Kunduri et al. 2013; Shi et al. 2013a,b; Zheng et al. 2013; Evanson et al. 2014; Leo et al. 2014; Nystoriak et al. 2014; Pabbidi et al. 2014; Yi et al. 2014). However, our study is the first to test the specificity and sensitivity of all commercially available antibodies for detection of the BK β1‐subunit using BK β1‐subunit KO mice test.

The BK β1‐KO mice used in our study were generated using a viral vector (pPNT) to completely delete exon 2 of gene 27, which also includes a transcriptional terminator after the lacZ gene to prevent downstream expression of β1‐subunits (Brenner et al. 2000). Absence of BK β1‐subunit expression in the BK β1‐KO mice has been confirmed by RT‐PCR previously (Brenner et al. 2000) and in our study. BK β1‐subunit‐specific antibodies should identify a protein band with a molecular weight of 21–35 kDa (depending on the supplier's recommended molecular weight) in BK β1‐subunit enriched tissues obtained from WT mice. BK β1‐subunit contains 191 amino acids, calculated molecular weight around ~21 kDa, BK β1‐subunit protein expression should either be absent, or it would be detected as a truncated lower molecular weight protein in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice, if the terminator is not fully functional, and the immunogenic site for each antibody was expressed. However, all tested antibodies either failed to detect proteins at the appropriate molecular weight in tissues from WT mice, or the antibodies detected identical protein bands in tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice using the method described above. These results suggest that the proteins detected by these antibodies are not specific for the BK β1‐subunit; even though some of the bands could be blocked by preincubation of the primary antibodies with its competing peptide.

We tested six antibodies not only in BK β1‐subunit‐specific SM tissues (arteries and colons) but also tested in kidneys, a BK β1‐subunit enriched non‐SM tissue (France et al. 2012). Results from all tissues indicate that none of the antibodies can reliably detect the BK β1‐subunit. We confirmed protein loading and transfer performance on these blots by detection of β‐actin on the same membrane. We also reliably detected the BK α‐subunit protein in these tissues by western blot. Finally, we confirmed BK β1‐subunit gene deletion in the BK β1‐KO mice using real‐time RT‐PCR on the same tissue samples used for western blot analysis. In addition, published works from our group and others have demonstrated the functional deficiencies of BK channel in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice (Brenner et al. 2000; Petkov et al. 2001; Grimm et al. 2007, 2009; Semenov et al. 2011; Xu et al. 2011, 2012, 2014; France et al. 2012; Evseev et al. 2013; Lynch et al. 2013; Wan et al. 2013), these studies support the absence of β1‐subunit in BK β1‐KO mice.

It may be possible that loss of epitope(s) could account for the lack of band detection and lack of specificity when comparing the tissues from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. For this very reason, we tested several antibodies which are claimed to be specific for the BK β1‐subunit. Because multiple epitopes can be identified by each polyclonal antibody, this problem is less likely in our studies. Two groups have previously reported western blot data using the sc‐14749 antibody in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice. Loot et al. (Loot et al. 2012) studied BK β1‐subunit expression in cultured pulmonary arterial SMCs from WT and BK β1‐KO mice. However, the mouse strain used to generate the BK β1‐KO mice used in their study differs from ours (Brenner et al. 2000; Plüger et al. 2000). Those BK β1‐KO mice were generated on B6CBAF1/J (female) and deleted exon 1 of BK β1‐subunit gene (Plüger et al. 2000). Grimm et al. (Grimm et al. 2007, 2009) reported a ~28 kDa protein band in extracts from kidney cortex and adrenal glands from WT mice, which was absent in tissues from BK β1‐KO mice (Grimm et al. 2007, 2009). The BK β1‐KO mice used in this study were generated from the same mouse strain used in our studies. When we used the sc‐14749 antibody we failed to detect a protein band at the predicted molecular weight (~28 kDa) in protein extracts from MA or colons from WT mice, but we did detect a 28‐kDa protein band in kidney tissues from both WT and BK β1‐KO mice. Although the protein band is at the manufacturer's suggested molecular weight of BK β1‐subunit protein, we cannot confirm that this band is the BK β1‐subunit protein. Since all tested antibodies are polyclonal antibodies, the different results may be caused by this polyclonal antibody being produced from a different harvest (bleeding or animal) and hence a different lot. Unfortunately, we were unable to track and identify the lot number in previously published work. This could explain why our result differs from theirs. This does draw attention to the importance of verifying that an antibody is recognizing the target protein and studies in tissues from knockout mice provide this important verification. In addition, for those western blots where we detect no band at the appropriate molecular weight, we do not believe this is secondary to proteolysis as SDS is also a potent inhibitor of enzymes and we also used several protease inhibitors in the lysis buffer including NaF, activated Na3VO4, and a standard protease inhibitor cocktail. Similar to our methods, all previously published literatures used an ionic detergent (SDS) and denaturing conditions for both the sample preparation and PAGE in western blot in detecting of BK β1‐subunit. Furthermore, the concentration of SDS seems appropriate (1–2%) as well and we are seemingly able to identify the BK channel α‐subunit by western blot. Taken together, our results underscore the importance of providing confirmation of a particular immunoreactive protein on a western blot, which is one of the major points of our manuscript.

Studies have been done using custom‐made antibodies (Lu et al. 2012; Yi et al. 2014) or an antibody produced by the Merck pharmaceutical company (Matharoo‐Ball et al. 2003; Yang et al. 2009; Howitt et al. 2011). The antibody from Merck is no longer available and we were unable to test this antibody. In addition, the cell lines transfected with BK β1‐subunit could be a useful positive control to test the specificity of antibodies, but we are unable to establish or access this cell line.

Our data indicate that several commercially available BK β1‐subunit antibodies may lack specificity and sensitivity in our western blot protocols. Our studies reemphasize that proper controls must be employed when dealing with protein expression in the western blots, the issues have been recognized by others already (Saper 2005). Our study also shows that identifying bands at manufacturer's recommended molecular weight and being able to remove these bands using blocking peptide is not sufficient to conclude that the target protein has been detected. The appropriate negative control including studies in tissues from knock out animals is crucial to test the specificity of an antibody. This is especially important in the studies related to human diseases in which changes in expression of BK β1‐subunit expression might have an important role.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Robert Brenner (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX) for the gift of BK β1‐KO mice.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Footnotes

Funding Information

This study was supported by P01 HL070687 (HX, JJG), DK094932 (JJG); and American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate 11GRNT6690010 (HX).

Authors contributed equally to this study.

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