Differential expression of kcnq2 splice variants: implications to m current function during neuronal development.

ABSTRACT: The KCNQ family of K(+) channels has been implicated in several cardiac and neurological disease pathologies. KCNQ2 (Q2) is a brain-derived gene, which in association with KCNQ3 (Q3) has been shown to provide a molecular basis for the neuronal M current. We have cloned a long (Q2L) and a short (Q2S) splice variant of the human KCNQ2 gene; these variants differ in their C-terminal tail. Northern blot analysis reveals that Q2L is preferentially expressed in differentiated neurons, whereas the Q2S transcript is prominent in fetal brain, undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells, and brain tumors. Q2L, transfected into mammalian cells, produces a slowly activating, noninactivating voltage-gated K(+) current that is blocked potently by tetraethylammonium (TEA; IC(50), 0.14 mm). Q2S on the other hand

SUBMITTER: Smith JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6762257 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature