title: The short N-terminus is required for functional expression of the virus-encoded miniature K(+) channel Kcv.
abstract: Kcv (K(+) Chlorella virus) is a miniature virus-encoded K(+) channel. Its predicted membrane-pore-membrane structure lacks a cytoplasmic C-terminus and it has a short 12 amino acid (aa) cytoplasmic N-terminus. Kcv forms a functional channel when expressed in human HEK 293 cells. Deletion of the 14 N-terminal aa results in no apparent differences in the subcellular location and expression level of the Kcv protein. However, the truncated protein does not induce a measurable current in transfected HEK 293 cells or Xenopus oocytes. We conclude that the N-terminus controls functional properties of the Kcv channel, but does not influence protein expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Istituto di Biofisica del CNR, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viscomi
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sangiorgio
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meckel
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gazzarrini
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valbuzzi
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Van Etten
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DiFrancesco
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thiel
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D017862:Phycodnaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; C405463:Kcv potassium channel, Chlorella virus; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins