KVβ.3 Background Information
Voltage-gated K+ channels in the plasma membrane control the repolarization and the frequency of action potentials in neurons, muscles and other excitable cells. The KV gene family encodes more than 30 proteins that comprise the subunits of the K+ channels, and they vary in their gating and permeation properties, subcellular distribution and expression patterns. Functional KV channels assemble as tetramers consisting of pore-forming å subunits (KV), which include the KV1, KV2, KV3 and KV4 proteins, and accessory or KV-subunits that modify the gating properties of the coexpressed KV subunits. KV∫.3 is an accessory K+ channel protein which regulates the activity of the pore-forming å subunit and alters the functional properties of Kv1.5. KV∫.3 localizes to the cytoplasm and is expressed in the brain, with highest expression detected in the cerebellum, and weakest expression seen in the frontal and temporal lobes. No KV∫.3 expression is detected in the heart, spinal cord, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, placenta or skeletal muscle.
