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KCNK1/TWIK1

Function

Ion channel that contributes to passive transmembrane potassium transport and to the regulation of the resting membrane potential in brain astrocytes, but also in kidney and in other tissues (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227). Forms dimeric channels through which potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. The channel is selective for K(+) ions at physiological potassium concentrations and at neutral pH, but becomes permeable to Na(+) at subphysiological K(+) levels and upon acidification of the extracellular medium (PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633). The homodimer has very low potassium channel activity, when expressed in heterologous systems, and can function as weakly inward rectifying potassium channel (PubMed:8605869, PubMed:8978667, PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633, PubMed:23169818, PubMed:25001086). Channel activity is modulated by activation of serotonin receptors (By similarity). Heterodimeric channels containing KCNK1 and KCNK2 have much higher activity, and may represent the predominant form in astrocytes (By similarity). Heterodimeric channels containing KCNK1 and KCNK3 or KCNK9 have much higher activity (PubMed:23169818). Heterodimeric channels formed by KCNK1 and KCNK9 may contribute to halothane-sensitive currents (PubMed:23169818). Mediates outward rectifying potassium currents in dentate gyrus granule cells and contributes to the regulation of their resting membrane potential (By similarity). Contributes to the regulation of action potential firing in dentate gyrus granule cells and down-regulates their intrinsic excitability (By similarity). In astrocytes, the heterodimer formed by KCNK1 and KCNK2 is required for rapid glutamate release in response to activation of G-protein coupled receptors, such as F2R and CNR1 (By similarity). Required for normal ion and water transport in the kidney (By similarity). Contributes to the regulation of the resting membrane potential of pancreatic beta cells (By similarity). The low channel activity of homodimeric KCNK1 may be due to sumoylation (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:20498050, PubMed:23169818). The low channel activity may be due to rapid internalization from the cell membrane and retention in recycling endosomes (PubMed:19959478).

Post-translational modifications

Sumoylation is controversial. Sumoylated by UBE2I (PubMed:15820677). Not sumoylated when expressed in xenopus oocytes or mammalian cells (PubMed:17693262). Sumoylation inactivates the channel, but does not interfere with expression at the cell membrane (PubMed:15820677). Sumoylation of a single subunit is sufficient to silence the dimeric channel (PubMed:20498050, PubMed:23169818). Sumoylation of KCNK1 is sufficient to silence heterodimeric channels formed by KCNK1 and KCNK3 or KCNK9 (PubMed:23169818). Desumoylated by SENP1; this activates the channel (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:20498050, PubMed:23169818). Desumoylated by SENP1; this strongly increases halothane-mediated activation of heterodimeric channels formed with KCNK9 (PubMed:23169818). SENP1 treatment has no effect (PubMed:17693262).

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the two pore domain potassium channel (TC 1.A.1.8) family.

Tissue specificity

Detected in bronchial epithelial cells (PubMed:21964404). Detected in heart left atrium and left ventricle (PubMed:17478540). Detected in cardiac myocytes (at protein level) (PubMed:21653227). Widely expressed with high levels in heart, brain and kidney, and lower levels in colon, ovary, placenta, lung and liver (PubMed:8605869, PubMed:9362344). Highly expressed in cerebellum, and detected at lower levels in amygdala, caudate nucleus, brain cortex, hippocampus, putamen, substantia nigra, thalamus, dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord, pituitary, heart, kidney, lung, placenta, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, uterus and prostate (PubMed:11165377). Detected in right and left heart ventricle and atrium, and in heart Purkinje fibers (PubMed:17478540). Detected in bronchial epithelial cells (PubMed:21964404).

Cellular localization

  • Cell membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • Recycling endosome
  • Cell junction
  • Synapse
  • Synaptic cell membrane
  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Perikaryon
  • Cell projection
  • Dendrite
  • Cell projection
  • Apical cell membrane
  • Multi-pass membrane protein
  • The heterodimer with KCNK2 is detected at the astrocyte cell membrane. Not detected at the astrocyte cell membrane when KCNK2 is absent. Detected on neuronal cell bodies, and to a lesser degree on neuronal cell projections. Detected on hippocampus dentate gyrus granule cell bodies and to a lesser degree on proximal dendrites. Detected at the apical cell membrane in stria vascularis in the cochlea. Detected at the apical cell membrane of vestibular dark cells situated between the crista and the utricle in the inner ear. Detected at the apical cell membrane in kidney proximal tubule segment S1 and in subapical compartments in segments S1, S2 and S3. Predominantly in cytoplasmic structures in kidney distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts (By similarity). Detected at the apical cell membrane of bronchial epithelial cells (PubMed:21964404).

Alternative names

  • Potassium channel subfamily K member 1
  • Inward rectifying potassium channel protein TWIK-1
  • Potassium channel K2P1
  • Potassium channel KCNO1
  • TWIK1
  • KCNO1
  • HOHO1
  • KCNK1

Target type

Proteins

Molecular weight

38143Da