Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.1

Title: Human myoblast fusion requires expression of functional inward rectifier Kir2.1 channels.

Authors: J Fischer-Lougheed, J H Liu, E Espinos, D Mordasini, C R Bader, D Belin, L Bernheim

Journal, date & volume: J. Cell Biol., 2001 May 14 , 153, 677-86

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11352930

Abstract
Myoblast fusion is essential to skeletal muscle development and repair. We have demonstrated previously that human myoblasts hyperpolarize, before fusion, through the sequential expression of two K+ channels: an ether-à-go-go and an inward rectifier. This hyperpolarization is a prerequisite for fusion, as it sets the resting membrane potential in a range at which Ca2+ can enter myoblasts and thereby trigger fusion via a window current through alpha1H T channels.