Thermal Regulation of KCNQ2 Potassium Channels

Jun Yin¹, Hui Wang¹, Bi-wen Peng¹* and Xiao-hua He¹*

¹Wuhan university school of basic medical sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China

² Zhongnan hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, P.R. China

³ Nursing College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, P.R. China

^# These authors contributed equally to this work

*Corresponding Author:

Bi-wen Peng or Xiao-hua He

Donghu Road #185, Wuchang

School of basic medical sciences

Wuhan University

Wuhan 430071, P. R.China.

Tel: 86-27-68759985

Fax: 86-27-68759991.

E-mail: pengbiwen@whu.edu.cn or hexiaohua@whu.edu.cn

Abstract

       KCNQ2 (KV7.2) plays a key role in the regulation of neuronal excitability. Although temperature is thought to modulate all ion channels by different magnitudes, temperature dependence of KCNQ channels has not been demonstrated. In the present work, we reported that temperature elevation caused an increased expression of KCNQ2. Notably, the increased protein was retained intracellular. Meanwhile, we found that elevated temperature had a significant effect on the voltage-dependence of KCNQ2 channel activation. These data suggested that temperature can increase the rates of activation of KCNQ2 channel and has a critical role in the trafficking of KCNQ2 subunits to the surface membrane.

Keywords: KCNQ2; ion channels; temperature; regulation.

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