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Cloning and expression of an Aplysia K+ channel and comparison with native Aplysia K+ currents
P J Pfaffinger1, Y Furukawa, B Zhao
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032.
Abstract:
We describe here the cloning of the Aplysia K+ channel AK01a.AK01a codes for a protein of 515 amino acids, shows considerable homology to other cloned potassium channels, and can be classified as a member of the ShakerK+ channel family. Expression of the AK01a channel in Xenopus oocytes produces a rapidly inactivating outward potassium current (IAK01a) resembling the A-type currents of Drosophila Shaker. Gating for this current is shifted to potentials considerably more positive than the traditional A-currents of Aplysia; we have, however, identified a novel transient potassium current (IAdepoI) in a subset of Aplysia neurons that has similar gating and pharmacological properties to IAK01a.
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