Title: Kir2.2v: a possible negative regulator of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir2.2.

Authors: N Namba, N Inagaki, T Gonoi, Y Seino, S Seino

Journal, date & volume: FEBS Lett., 1996 May 20 , 386, 211-4

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8647284

Abstract
We have cloned the human genes encoding the inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channel subunits, Kir2.2 (hKir2.2) and its variant, termed hKir2.2v. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, hKir2.2 produced strong inwardly rectifying K+ currents, whereas the expression of hKir2.2v did not elicit significant currents. Coexpression of hKir2.2v with hKir2.2 showed an hKir2.2v inhibition of hKir2.2 K+ currents, indicating that it acts as a negative regulator of hKir2.2 channel activity. Mutational analysis of hKir2.2v and studies of chimeras between hKir2.2 and hKir2.2v suggest that the intracellular C-terminal region of hKir2.2v participates in the negative regulation of the hKir2.2v channel activity.