KCNC2
Encyclopedia
Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily C member 2 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the KCNC2 gene
. The protein
encoded by this gene is a voltage-gated potassium channel
subunit.
s that fire at high frequency. Kv3.2 channels are prominently expressed in brain (fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons of the neocortex
, hippocampus
, and caudate nucleus
; terminal fields of thalamocortical projections), and in retinal ganglion cells.
(TEA) or 4-aminopyridine
(4-AP) (IC50 values are 0.1 mM for both of the drugs). This can be useful in identifying native channels.
of Kv3.2 gene: Kv3.2a, Kv3.2b, Kv3.2c, Kv3.2d. Kv3.2 isoforms differ only in their C-terminal sequence.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the KCNC2 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. The protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
encoded by this gene is a voltage-gated potassium channel
Voltage-gated potassium channel
Voltage-gated potassium channels are transmembrane channels specific for potassium and sensitive to voltage changes in the cell's membrane potential. During action potentials, they play a crucial role in returning the depolarized cell to a resting state....
subunit.
Expression pattern
Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 channels are prominently expressed in neuronNeuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s that fire at high frequency. Kv3.2 channels are prominently expressed in brain (fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons of the neocortex
Neocortex
The neocortex , also called the neopallium and isocortex , is a part of the brain of mammals. It is the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres, and made up of six layers, labelled I to VI...
, hippocampus
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in...
, and caudate nucleus
Caudate nucleus
The caudate nucleus is a nucleus located within the basal ganglia of the brains of many animal species. The caudate nucleus is an important part of the brain's learning and memory system.-Anatomy:...
; terminal fields of thalamocortical projections), and in retinal ganglion cells.
Physiological role
Kv3.1/Kv3.2 conductance is necessary and kinetically optimized for high-frequency action potential generation. Sometimes in heteromeric complexes with Kv3.1; important for the high-frequency firing of fast spiking GABAergic interneurons and retinal ganglion cells; and GABA release via regulation of action potential duration in presynaptic terminals.Pharmacological properties
Kv3.2 currents in heterologous systems are highly sensitive to external tetraethylammoniumTetraethylammonium
Tetraethylammonium is a quaternary ammonium cation consisting of four ethyl groups attached to a central nitrogen atom. Like other members of its class, it can be used to alter a compound's solubility by displacing hard acids with this comparatively softer acid...
(TEA) or 4-aminopyridine
4-Aminopyridine
4-Aminopyridine is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H4N–NH2. The molecule is one of the three isomeric amines of pyridine...
(4-AP) (IC50 values are 0.1 mM for both of the drugs). This can be useful in identifying native channels.
Transcript variants
There are four transcript variantsAlternative splicing
Alternative splicing is a process by which the exons of the RNA produced by transcription of a gene are reconnected in multiple ways during RNA splicing...
of Kv3.2 gene: Kv3.2a, Kv3.2b, Kv3.2c, Kv3.2d. Kv3.2 isoforms differ only in their C-terminal sequence.