Molecular Physiology of pH-Sensitive Background K2P Channels

Abstract

Background K2P channels are tightly regulated by different stimuli including variations of external and internal pH. pH sensitivity relies on proton-sensing residues that influence channel gating and activity. Gene inactivation in the mouse is a revealing implication of K2P channels in many physiological functions ranging from hormone secretion to central respiratory adaptation. Surprisingly, only a few phenotypic traits of these mice have yet been directly related to the pH sensitivity of K2P channels.