title: Human myoblast fusion requires expression of functional inward rectifier Kir2.1 channels.
abstract: Myoblast fusion is essential to skeletal muscle development and repair. We have demonstrated previously that human myoblasts hyperpolarize, before fusion, through the sequential expression of two K+ channels: an ether-à-go-go and an inward rectifier. This hyperpolarization is a prerequisite for fusion, as it sets the resting membrane potential in a range at which Ca2+ can enter myoblasts and thereby trigger fusion via a window current through alpha1H T channels.
authors.affiliation: Département de Physiologie et, Centre Médical Universitaire, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fischer-Lougheed
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Espinos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mordasini
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Belin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernheim
mesh_terms: D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D012260:Ribonucleases
chemical_list: D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D012260:Ribonucleases; D011188:Potassium