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Molecular Diversity of K + Channels
Author(s) -
COETZEE WILLIAM A.,
AMARILLO YIMY,
CHIU JOANNA,
CHOW ALAN,
LAU DAVID,
McCORMACK TOM,
MORENA HERMAN,
NADAL MARCELA S.,
OZAITA ANDER,
POUNTNEY DAVID,
SAGANICH MICHAEL,
MIERA ELEAZAR VEGASAENZ,
RUDY BERNARDO
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1999.tb11293.x
Subject(s) - alternative splicing , rna splicing , principal (computer security) , computational biology , protein subunit , coding region , gene , rna , channel (broadcasting) , biology , genetics , messenger rna , computer science , computer network , operating system
K + channel principal subunits are by far the largest and most diverse of the ion channels. This diversity originates partly from the large number of genes coding for K + channel principal subunits, but also from other processes such as alternative splicing, generating multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene, heteromeric assembly of different principal subunits, as well as possible RNA editing and posttranslational modifications. In this chapter, we attempt to give an overview (mostly in tabular format) of the different genes coding for K + channel principal and accessory subunits and their genealogical relationships. We discuss the possible correlation of different principal subunits with native K + channels, the biophysical and pharmacological properties of channels formed when principal subunits are expressed in heterologous expression systems, and their patterns of tissue expression. In addition, we devote a section to describing how diversity of K + channels can be conferred by heteromultimer formation, accessory subunits, alternative splicing, RNA editing and posttranslational modifications. We trust that this collection of facts will be of use to those attempting to compare the properties of new subunits to the properties of others already known or to those interested in a comparison between native channels and cloned candidates.