title: Diversity of astrocyte potassium channels: An update.
abstract: Astrocyte K+channels and the K+currents they mediate dwarf all other transmembrane conductances in these cells. This defining feature of astrocytes and its functional implications have been investigated intensely over the past decades. Nonetheless, many aspects of astrocyte K+handling and signaling remain incompletely understood. In this review, we provide an update on the diversity of K+channels expressed by astrocytes and new functional implications. We focus on inwardly-rectifying K+channels (particularly Kir4.1), two-pore K+channels and voltage and Ca2+-dependent K+channels. We further discuss new insights into the involvement of these K+channels in K+buffering, control of synaptic transmission, regulation of the vasculature and in diseases of the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: gerald.seifert@ukb.uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany; German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henneberger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: christian.steinhaeuser@ukb.uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinhäuser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels
keywords: Astrocyte; BK channel; CNS disease; K(+) homeostasis; K(2)P channel; Kir channels