Regulation of the K channels by cytoplasmic domains.
Regulation of intracellular potassium levels is one of the basic functions of all cells, controlling cellular osmolarity and transmitting information. In higher organisms, elaborate control of transmembrane potassium flux has evolved to endow nervous systems with the remarkable ability to transmit electrical signals between cells. Multiple genes, gene splicing, mRNA editing, and selective tetrameric assembly of K channel genes provide the basis for creating distinct electrophysiological properties at varying developmental and cellular stages. This assembly mechanism, primarily governed by the T1 domain, is under the control of intracellular signals. Atomic structures of the isolated T1 domains of Shaker and Shaw subfamilies provided us with valuable structural insights into understanding both channel assembly and functional regulation of the entire channel molecule through conformational changes.
Choe
Senyon
S
Structural Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. choe@salk.edu
Roosild
Tarmo
T
D001665:Binding Sites; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019281:Dimerization; D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009243:NAD / Q000737:chemistry; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017393:RNA Editing; D012326:RNA Splicing
D008024:Ligands; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D009243:NAD