GIRK (Kir3) Channel Antibody Explorer Kit,Alomone Labs,AK-227_KIT

The family’s topology consists of two transmembrane domains that flank a single and highly conserved pore region with intracellular N- and C-termini. As is the case for the voltage-dependent K + channels, the functional unit for the K ir channels is composed of four subunits that can assemble as either homo or heterotetramers. K ir channels are characterized by a K + efflux that is limited by depolarizing membrane potentials thus making them essential for controlling resting membrane potential and K + homeostasis. K ir 3.1 is a member of the K ir 3.x subfamily that includes four members (K ir 3.1- K ir 3.4). The K ir 3 (GIRK) family is characterized by the fact that the channels can be activated by neurotransmitters and other factors acting via the activation of G-protein coupled receptors. Binding of the corresponding ligand to the G-protein receptor induces the dissociation of Gα-GTP from the Gβγ dimer. The latter directly binds to K ir 3 and activates the channel 1,2 .