Figure 7.

Schematic illustration of a hypothetical mechanism for Kv1.2 in electrotaxis. The most prominent function of Kv1.2 channel is to control the electrogenic transport of ions across the plasma membrane. It hyperpolarizes the cell membrane potential by elevating the extracellular K⁺ concentration. Cortactin is highly enriched in lamellipodia and enhances protrusion persistence, which potentially binds to F‐actin to regulate membrane dynamics and form adhesion nucleus through regulation of Arp2/3 and interaction with cadherin. The Kv1.2 can be suppressed by activated RhoA and the tyrosine phosphorylation at its C‐terminal which blocks its interaction to cortactin. When treated with EF, Kv1.2 channel may act as sensors responding to the electric signals, and subsequently activated Kv1.2 channel binds cortactin at the leading edge. The asymmetrical colocalization of Kv1.2 channel and cortactin at the cathode‐facing membrane of the migration cells enhances actin polymerization and protrusion thereby the directional migration is initiated.