The short N-terminus is required for functional expression of the virus-encoded miniature K super(+) channel Kcv

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 530; no. 1-3; pp. 65 - 69
• Main Authors: Moroni, A, Viscomi, C, Sangiorgio, V, Pagliuca, C, Meckel, T, Horvath, F, Gazzarrini, S, Valbuzzi, P, Van Etten, JL, DiFrancesco, D, Thiel, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23.10.2002
• ISSN: 0014-5793

Kcv (K super(+) Chlorella virus) is a miniature virus-encoded K super(+) channel. Its predicted membrane-pore-membrane structure lacks a cytoplasmic C-terminus and it has a short 12 amino acid (aa) cytoplasmic N-terminus. Kcv forms a functional channel when expressed in human HEK 293 cells. Deletion of the 14 N-terminal aa results in no apparent differences in the subcellular location and expression level of the Kcv protein. However, the truncated protein does not induce a measurable current in transfected HEK 293 cells or Xenopus oocytes. We conclude that the N-terminus controls functional properties of the Kcv channel, but does not influence protein expression.