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A disulphide-linked heterodimer of TWIK-1 and TREK-1 mediates passive conductance in astrocytes.
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2014; Vol. 5, pp. 3227. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- TWIK-1 is a member of the two-pore domain K(+) (K2P) channel family that plays an essential part in the regulation of resting membrane potential and cellular excitability. The physiological role of TWIK-1 has remained enigmatic because functional expression of TWIK-1 channels is elusive. Here we report that native TWIK-1 forms a functional channel at the plasma membrane of astrocytes. A search for TWIK-1-binding proteins led to the identification of TREK-1, another member of the K2P family. The TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimeric channel is formed via a disulphide bridge between residue C69 in TWIK-1 and C93 in TREK-1. Gene silencing demonstrates that surface expression of TWIK-1 and TREK-1 are interdependent. TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimers mediate astrocytic passive conductance and cannabinoid-induced glutamate release from astrocytes. Our study sheds new light on the diversity of K2P channels.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24496152
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4227