Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv1.4 , Kv2.1 , Kv3.1 , Kv3.2

Title: Region-specific expression of a K+ channel gene in brain.

Authors: B Rudy, C Kentros, M Weiser, D Fruhling, P Serôdio, E Vega-Saenz de Miera, M H Ellisman, J A Pollock, H Baker

Journal, date & volume: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1992 May 15 , 89, 4603-7

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1374908

Abstract
Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization studies reveal the highly localized expression in rat brain of transcripts from a gene (KShIIIA) encoding components for voltage-gated K+ channels. KShIIIA expression is particularly prominent throughout the dorsal thalamus. The expression of KShIIIA is compared to that of a closely related gene, here called NGK2-KV4. These two genes encode transcripts that induce currents in Xenopus oocytes that are as of yet indistinguishable, but they show very different patterns of expression in rat brain. NGK2-KV4 transcripts are particularly abundant in the cerebellar cortex, where KShIIIA expression is very weak. These results demonstrate the existence of cell-type-specific K+ channel components and suggest that one reason for the unusually large diversity of K+ channel proteins is the presence of subtypes that participate in specific brain functions.