Signaling protein complexes associated with neuronal ion channels.
The pore-forming subunits of many ion channels exist in the membrane as one component of a regulatory protein complex, which may also contain one or more signaling proteins that contribute to the modulation of channel properties. Here I review this field, with emphasis on several different kinds of neuronal potassium channels for which the evidence for ion channel signaling complexes is most compelling. A key challenge for the future is to determine the roles of such signaling protein complexes in neuronal physiology and behavior.
Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. levitani@mail.med.upenn.edu
Irwin B
IB
Levitan
D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011494:Protein Kinases