Mediates the voltage-dependent potassium ion permeability of excitable membranes.
Assuming opened or closed conformations in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, the protein forms a potassium-selective channel through which potasssium ions may pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient.
May play a role in regulating the secretion of insulin in normal pancreatic islets.
Potassium channels represent the most complex class of voltage-gated ino channels from both functional and structural standpoints.
Their diverse functions include regulating neurotransmitter release, heart rate, insulin secretion, neuronal excitability, epithelial electrolyte transport, smooth muscle contraction, and cell volume.
Four sequence-related potassium channel genes-shaker, shaw, shab, and shal-have been identified in Drosophila, and each has been shown to have human homolog(s).
This gene encodes a member of the potassium channel, voltage-gated, shaker-related subfamily.
This member contains six membrane-spanning domains with a shaker-type repeat in the fourth segment.
It belongs to the delayed rectifier class, the function of which could restore the resting membrane potential of beta cells after depolarization and thereby contribute to the regulation of insulin secretion.
This gene is intronless, and the gene is clustered with genes KCNA1 and KCNA6 on chromosome.
Applications:Suitable for use in Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry and Immunoprecipitation.
