Potassium Channels

Abstract

Potassium channels constitute a highly diverse class of ion channel and thus participate in multiple modulatory functions. There are several functional types of K⁺ channel, including voltage-gated K⁺ channels, Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, inward rectifiers, leak K⁺ channels and Na⁺-activated K⁺ channels. Principal or pore-forming subunits of at least the first four types have been identified and are classified into three groups of proteins on the basis of their structural properties.