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. 1989 Nov;8(11):3235–3244. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1989.tb08483.x

Molecular basis of functional diversity of voltage-gated potassium channels in mammalian brain.

W Stühmer 1, J P Ruppersberg 1, K H Schröter 1, B Sakmann 1, M Stocker 1, K P Giese 1, A Perschke 1, A Baumann 1, O Pongs 1
PMCID: PMC401447  PMID: 2555158

Abstract

Cloning and sequencing of cDNAs isolated from a rat cortex cDNA library reveals that a gene family encodes several highly homologous K+ channel forming (RCK) proteins. Functional characterization of the channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes following microinjection of in vitro transcribed RCK-specific RNAs shows that each of the RCK proteins forms K+ channels that differ greatly in both their functional and pharmacological properties. This suggests that the molecular basis for the diversity of voltage-gated K+ channels in mammalian brain is based, at least partly, on the expression of several RCK proteins by a family of genes and their assembly to homooligomeric K+ channels with different functional properties.

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Selected References

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