title: Alternative splicing contributes to K+ channel diversity in the mammalian central nervous system.
abstract: In an attempt to define the molecular basis of the functional diversity of K+ channels, we have isolated overlapping rat brain cDNAs that encoded a neuronal delayed rectifier K+ channel, K,4, that is structurally related to the Drosophila Shaw protein. Unlike previously characterized mammalian K+ channel genes, which each contain a single protein-coding exon, K,4 arises from alternative exon usage at a locus that also encodes another mammalian Shaw homolog, NGK2. Thus, the enormous diversity of K+ channels in mammals can be generated not just through gene duplication and divergence but also through alternative splicing of RNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Luneau
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Levitan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antanavage
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Folander
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA