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Published on: July 16, 2013
Kir2.1 Potassium channels and corneal epithelia
1Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Purpose:
To determine the existence of inward rectifier (Kir2.1) sequences in mRNA from corneal epithelium and endothelium.
Methods:
cDNA library construction, cloning, PCR, patch clamp. RESULTS. Both the corneal epithelium and endothelium contain mRNA for Kir2.1 inwardly rectifying potassium channels. When the cDNA is transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells, the channel currents match those expected from Kir2.1 inward rectifiers.
Conclusions:
The mRNA for Kir2.1 potassium channels exists in corneal epithelium and endothelium. Therefore, Kir2.1 inwardly rectifying potassium channels probably make some contributions to the resting voltages of cornea epithelium and endothelium. Previous data, however, suggest that they are probably not the dominant contributors in these preparations.
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