| Modification Notes |
Potassium channels play an important role in cell excitability and plasticity. The pore loop domain, a highly conserved region common to all potassium channels, is involved in determining potassium ion selectivity. The family of potassium channels possessing two-pore loop domains consists of both inward and outwardly rectifying channels and includes THIK-1, THIK-2, TRESK, TALK-1 and TALK-2. Members of this family are all characterized by four transmembrane domains and may function to help influence the resting membrane potential of cells. TWIK-related spinal cord K+ (TRESK) is the most sensitive volatile anesthetic-activated channel in the family and may function to mediate the effects of inhaled anesthetics in the central nervous system in a manner that is sensitive to immunosuppressive drugs. TRESK is activated by the calcium signal from calcineurin, a calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase, and is highly sensitive to zinc. |