Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.1 , Kir2.2 , Kir3.1 , Kir3.2

Title: Nonselective and G betagamma-insensitive weaver K+ channels.

Authors: B Navarro, M E Kennedy, B Velimirovíc, D Bhat, A S Peterson, D E Clapham

Journal, date & volume: Science, 1996 Jun 28 , 272, 1950-3

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8658170

Abstract
Homozygous weaver mice are profoundly ataxic because of the loss of granule cell neurons during cerebellar development. This granule cell loss appears to be caused by a genetic defect in the pore region (Gly156-->Ser) of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (K+) channel subunit (GIRK2). A related subunit, GIRK1, associates with GIRK2 to constitute a neuronal G protein-gated inward rectifier K+ channel. The weaver allele of the GIRK2 subunit (wvGIRK2) caused loss of K+ selectivity when expressed either as wvGIRK2 homomultimers or as GIRK1-wvGIRK2 heteromultimers. The mutation also let to loss of sensitivity to G protein betagamma dimers. Expression of wvGIRK2 subunits let to increased cell death, presumably as a result of basal nonselective channel opening.