For K+ channels, Na+ is the new Ca2+.
Although K+ channels activated by Ca2+ have long been known to shape neuronal excitability, evidence is accumulating that K+ channels sensitive to intracellular Na+, termed K(Na) channels, have an equally significant role. K(Na) channels contribute to adaptation of firing rate and to slow afterhyperpolarizations that follow repetitive firing. In certain neurons, they also appear to be activated by Na+ influx accompanying a single spike. Two genes encoding these channels, Slick and Slack, are expressed throughout the brain. The spatial localization of K(Na) channels along axons, dendrites and somata appears to be highly cell-type specific. Their molecular properties also suggest that these channels contribute to the response of neurons to hypoxia.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
Arin
A
Bhattacharjee
Leonard K
LK
Kaczmarek
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D015221:Potassium Channels; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium