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    J Biol Chem. 2000 Jun 2;275(22):16969-78.

    Proton block and voltage gating are potassium-dependent in the cardiac leak channel Kcnk3.

    Source

    Section of Developmental Biology and Biophysics, Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06536, USA.

    Abstract

    Potassium leak conductances were recently revealed to exist as independent molecular entities. Here, the genomic structure, cardiac localization, and biophysical properties of a murine example are considered. Kcnk3 subunits have two pore-forming P domains and unique functional attributes. At steady state, Kcnk3 channels behave like open, potassium-selective, transmembrane holes that are inhibited by physiological levels of proton. With voltage steps, Kcnk3 channels open and close in two phases, one appears to be immediate and one is time-dependent (tau = approximately 5 ms). Both proton block and gating are potassium-sensitive; this produces an anomalous increase in outward flux as external potassium levels rise because of decreased proton block. Single Kcnk3 channels open across the physiological voltage range; hence they are "leak" conductances; however, they open only briefly and rarely even after exposure to agents that activate other potassium channels.

    PMID:
    10748056
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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