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Published on: February 10, 2014
Two-pore domain k(+) channels and their role in chemoreception
1Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK. keith.buckler@physiol.ox.ac.uk
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 6, 2010
Summary
Tandem P-domain potassium (K2P) channels generate background currents crucial for sensing physiological stimuli like pH and glucose. These channels, particularly the TASK subgroup, are implicated in chemoreception across various tissues.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Tandem P-domain potassium (K2P) channels generate background potassium currents.
- These currents are vital for sensing diverse physiological stimuli, including blood pH, CO2, oxygen, potassium, and glucose.
- Enteroreceptors utilize these currents to detect changes in the internal environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties of cloned K2P channels.
- To overview endogenous chemosensitive background K-currents in various tissues.
- To explore the similarities between cloned K2P channels and endogenous chemosensitive currents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cloned K2P channels.
- Analysis of studies on endogenous chemosensitive background K-currents.
- Comparative analysis of channel properties.
Main Results:
- K2P channels exhibit properties similar to endogenous chemosensitive background K-currents.
- Endogenous currents are found in central and peripheral chemoreceptors, adrenal gland, and hypothalamus.
- TASK subgroup K2P channels show striking similarities to many endogenous channels.
Conclusions:
- K2P channels, especially TASK subgroup, are likely involved in pH and nutrient/metabolic sensing.
- Endogenous chemosensitive background K-currents share functional similarities with cloned K2P channels.
- Further research is needed to confirm the identity of many endogenous chemosensitive channels.
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