Seino S
Department of Molecular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Annu Rev Physiol. 1999;61:337-62. doi: 10.1146/annurev.physiol.61.1.337.
ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels) play important roles in many cellular functions by coupling cell metabolism to electrical activity. By cloning members of the novel inwardly rectifying K+ channel subfamily Kir6.0 (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) and the receptors for sulfonylureas (SUR1 and SUR2), researchers have clarified the molecular structure of KATP channels. KATP channels comprise two subunits: a Kir6.0 subfamily subunit, which is a member of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel family; and a SUR subunit, which is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein superfamily. KATP channels are the first example of a heteromultimeric complex assembled with a K+ channel and a receptor that are structurally unrelated to each other. Since 1995, molecular biological and molecular genetic studies of KATP channels have provided insights into the structure-function relationships, molecular regulation, and pathophysiological roles of KATP channels.
ATP敏感性钾通道（KATP通道）通过将细胞代谢与电活动相偶联，在许多细胞功能中发挥重要作用。通过克隆新型内向整流钾通道亚家族Kir6.0（Kir6.1和Kir6.2）的成员以及磺脲类受体（SUR1和SUR2），研究人员阐明了KATP通道的分子结构。KATP通道由两个亚基组成：一个是Kir6.0亚家族亚基，它是内向整流钾通道家族的成员；另一个是SUR亚基，它是ATP结合盒（ABC）蛋白超家族的成员。KATP通道是由一个钾通道和一个在结构上彼此无关的受体组装而成的异源多聚体复合物的首个实例。自1995年以来，对KATP通道的分子生物学和分子遗传学研究为深入了解KATP通道的结构-功能关系、分子调节及病理生理作用提供了线索。
