Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels: Regulation by Accessory Subunits

Voltage-gated potassium channels regulate cell membrane potential and excitability in neurons and other cell types. A precise control of neuronal action potential patterns underlies the basic functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. This control relies on the adaptability of potassi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Neuroscientist 2006-06, Vol.12 (3), p.199-210
Main Authors: Li, Yan, Um, Sung Yon, Mcdonald, Thomas V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials - physiology
Animals
Atrial fibrillation
Cell Membrane - chemistry
Cell Membrane - metabolism
Humans
Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins - chemistry
Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins - genetics
Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins - metabolism
Models, Molecular
Molecular Chaperones - chemistry
Molecular Chaperones - genetics
Molecular Chaperones - metabolism
Mutation (Biology)
Neurons
Neurons - metabolism
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated - chemistry
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated - genetics
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated - metabolism
Properties
Protein Conformation
Protein Inhibitors of Activated STAT - chemistry
Protein Inhibitors of Activated STAT - genetics
Protein Inhibitors of Activated STAT - metabolism
Protein research
Protein Subunits - chemistry
Protein Subunits - genetics
Protein Subunits - metabolism
Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels - chemistry
Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels - genetics
Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels - metabolism
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Description
Summary:Voltage-gated potassium channels regulate cell membrane potential and excitability in neurons and other cell types. A precise control of neuronal action potential patterns underlies the basic functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. This control relies on the adaptability of potassium channel activities. The functional diversity of potassium currents, however, far exceeds the considerable molecular diversity of this class of genes. Potassium current diversity contributes to the specificity of neuronal firing patterns and may be achieved by regulated transcription, RNA splicing, and posttranslational modifications. Another mechanism for regulation of potassium channel activity is through association with interacting proteins and accessory subunits. Here the authors highlight recent work that addresses this growing area of exploration and discuss areas of future investigation.
ISSN:1073-8584
1089-4098
DOI:10.1177/1073858406287717