Voltage-gated potassium channel
IPR028325
Definition
This entry represents the the voltage-gated Kv channel and the KCNQ channel. KCNQ channels differ from other voltage-gated 6 TM helix channels, chiefly in that they possess no tetramerisation domain. Potassium channels are the most diverse group of the ion channel family [[cite:PMID:1772658], [cite:PMID:1879548]]. They are important in shaping the action potential, and in neuronal excitability and plasticity PMID:2451788. The potassium channel family is composed of several functionally distinct isoforms, which can be broadly separated into 2 groups PMID:2555158: the practically non-inactivating 'delayed' group and the rapidly inactivating 'transient' group. These are all highly similar proteins, with only small amino acid changes causing the diversity of the voltage-dependent gating mechanism, channel conductance and toxin binding properties. Each type of K+channel is activated by different signals and conditions depending on their type of regulation: some open in response to depolarisation of the plasma membrane; others in response to hyperpolarisation or an increase in intracellular calcium concentration; some can be regulated by binding of a transmitter, together with intracellular kinases; while others are regulated by GTP-binding proteins or other second messengers PMID:2448635. In eukaryotic cells, K+channels are involved in neural signalling and generation of the cardiac rhythm, act as effectors in signal transduction pathways involving G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and may have a role in target cell lysis by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes PMID:1373731. In prokaryotic cells, they play a role in the maintenance of ionic homeostasis PMID:11178249. All K+channels discovered so far possess a core of alpha subunits, each comprising either one or two copies of a highly conserved pore loop domain (P-domain). The P-domain contains the sequence (T/SxxTxGxG), which has been termed the K+selectivity sequence. In families that contain one P-domain, four subunits assemble to form a selective pathway for K+across the membrane. However, it remains unclear how the 2 P-domain subunits assemble to form a selective pore. The functional diversity of these families can arise through homo-or hetero-associations of alpha subunits or association with auxiliary cytoplasmic beta subunits. K+channel subunits containing one pore domain can be assigned into one of two superfamilies: those that possess six transmembrane (TM) domains and those that possess only two TM domains. The six TM domain superfamily can be further subdivided into conserved gene families: the voltage-gated (Kv) channels; the KCNQ channels (originally known as KvLQT channels); the EAG-like K+channels; and three types of calcium (Ca)-activated K+channels (BK, IK and SK) PMID:11178249. The 2TM domain family comprises inward-rectifying K+channels. In addition, there are K+channel alpha-subunits that possess two P-domains. These are usually highly regulated K+selective leak channels.
27 human proteins with this domain
Each is a reviewed human protein in the Seroatlas serome and a potential autoantibody target; this domain groups them into one antibody-relevant category. Every entry links to its own record.
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