Correlating structure and function in ATP-sensitive K + channels

• Published in: Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 288 - 294
• Main Authors: Ashcroft, Frances M., Gribble, Fiona M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.1998; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; ATP-sensitive K+ channels; Biological and medical sciences; Cells - metabolism; Cellular biology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Genes, Regulator - genetics; Genetic Linkage; Hyperinsulinism - genetics; In Vitro Techniques; ion channel; Kir6.2; Models, Biological; Nervous system; Neurology; Nucleotides - metabolism; PHHI; Potassium Channels - metabolism; Potassium Channels - physiology; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; Receptors, Drug - metabolism; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase - metabolism; Sulfonylurea Compounds - metabolism; Sulfonylurea Receptors; sulphonylurea receptor; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Kir6.2; sulphonylurea receptor; PHHI; ATP-sensitive K+ channels; ion channel; Ionic channel; Review; Ionic current; Subunit; Structure; Potassium
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0166-2236(98)01225-9

ATP-sensitive K + channels couple cell metabolism to electrical activity in nerve, muscle and endocrine cells, and play important roles in these tissues under both physiological and pathological conditions. The K ATP channel is an octameric complex of two unrelated types of subunit: a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.2) and a regulatory subunit, the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR). This review focuses on the regulation of K ATP channel activity by nucleotides and cell metabolism and considers which regulatory mechanisms are intrinsic to Kir6.2 and which are conferred by association with SUR.