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Potassium leak channels and the KCNK family of two-P-domain subunits

Potassium leak channels and the KCNK family of two-P-domain subunits
Potassium leak channels and the KCNK family of two-P-domain subunits
With a bang, a new family of potassium channels has exploded into view. Although KCNK channels were discovered only five years ago, they already outnumber other channel types. KCNK channels are easy to identify because of their unique structure--they possess two preforming domains in each subunit. The new channels function in a most remarkable fashion: they are highly regulated, potassium-selective leak channels. Although leak currents are fundamental to the function of nerves and muscles, the molecular basis for this type of conductance had been a mystery. Here we review the discovery of KCNK channels, what has been learned about them and what lies ahead. Even though two-P-domain channels are widespread and essential, they were hidden from sight in plain view--our most basic questions remain to be answered.
myocardium, electrophysiology, tertiary, protein structure, family, nerve tissue, models, protein conformation, tandem pore domain, molecular, potassium channels, research support
1471-0048
175-184
Goldstein, Steve A.N.
e957cee2-71ad-4170-a086-5772415f58bc
Bockenhauer, Detlef
81f044d1-f60b-4a20-a9a5-a91b0c1871c4
O'Kelly, Ita
e640f28a-42f0-48a6-9ce2-cb5a85d08c66
Zilberberg, Noam
6a77b1d8-b9f0-46f0-93d3-c402020039e4
Goldstein, Steve A.N.
e957cee2-71ad-4170-a086-5772415f58bc
Bockenhauer, Detlef
81f044d1-f60b-4a20-a9a5-a91b0c1871c4
O'Kelly, Ita
e640f28a-42f0-48a6-9ce2-cb5a85d08c66
Zilberberg, Noam
6a77b1d8-b9f0-46f0-93d3-c402020039e4

Goldstein, Steve A.N., Bockenhauer, Detlef, O'Kelly, Ita and Zilberberg, Noam (2001) Potassium leak channels and the KCNK family of two-P-domain subunits. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2 (3), 175-184. (doi:10.1038/35058574).

Record type: Article

Abstract

With a bang, a new family of potassium channels has exploded into view. Although KCNK channels were discovered only five years ago, they already outnumber other channel types. KCNK channels are easy to identify because of their unique structure--they possess two preforming domains in each subunit. The new channels function in a most remarkable fashion: they are highly regulated, potassium-selective leak channels. Although leak currents are fundamental to the function of nerves and muscles, the molecular basis for this type of conductance had been a mystery. Here we review the discovery of KCNK channels, what has been learned about them and what lies ahead. Even though two-P-domain channels are widespread and essential, they were hidden from sight in plain view--our most basic questions remain to be answered.

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More information

Published date: March 2001
Keywords: myocardium, electrophysiology, tertiary, protein structure, family, nerve tissue, models, protein conformation, tandem pore domain, molecular, potassium channels, research support

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 59764
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/59764
ISSN: 1471-0048
PURE UUID: b4ed1975-0c3b-4900-837f-c4c5b454246a

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Date deposited: 04 Sep 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 11:17

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Contributors

Author: Steve A.N. Goldstein
Author: Detlef Bockenhauer
Author: Ita O'Kelly
Author: Noam Zilberberg

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