KCNB2
KCNB2, also known as Kv2.2, is a voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunit that mediates transmembrane potassium transport in excitable membranes, primarily in the brain and smooth muscle cells. It belongs to the Shab-related subfamily of potassium channels. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KCNB2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KCNB2 is a voltage-gated potassium channel that opens or closes in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, letting potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. Homotetrameric channels mediate a delayed-rectifier, voltage-dependent outward potassium current, with rapid activation and slow inactivation in response to membrane depolarisation. The channel contributes to the delayed-rectifier current in cortical pyramidal neurons and smooth muscle cells.
KCNB2 can assemble into functional homotetramers and into heterotetramers containing variable proportions of KCNB1, and channel properties depend on which alpha subunits are present. It can also form heterotetramers with alpha subunits that are non-conducting when expressed alone, such as KCNS1 and KCNS2, creating a functionally diverse range of channel complexes. Membranes probably contain a mixture of heteromeric complexes, which makes it difficult to assign currents seen in intact tissue to any single family member. UniProt lists the protein at the cell membrane, the perikaryon and dendrites. The KCNB2 gene is expressed in gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells.
The protein belongs to the potassium channel family, B (Shab) subfamily, in the Kv2.2/KCNB2 sub-subfamily. HGNC places it among the potassium voltage-gated channels and the BTB domain containing group, and its previous name was potassium voltage-gated channel, Shab-related subfamily, member 2. Voltage-gated potassium channels have diverse roles, including regulating neurotransmitter release, heart rate, insulin secretion, neuronal excitability, epithelial electrolyte transport, smooth muscle contraction and cell volume. Mouse and rat both carry a Kcnb2 ortholog.
KCNB2 contributes to the delayed-rectifier potassium current in cortical pyramidal neurons, making it relevant to studies of excitable membranes in the brain.
The channel is expressed in gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells and contributes to delayed-rectifier current in smooth muscle.
KCNB2 forms heterotetramers with KCNB1, KCNS1 and KCNS2, so it is used to examine how subunit composition shapes channel properties.
Homotetrameric KCNB2 channels show rapid activation and slow inactivation on depolarisation, a useful model of delayed-rectifier voltage-dependent gating.
KCNB2 is a voltage-gated potassium channel subunit that mediates potassium transport across excitable membranes, mainly in brain and smooth muscle cells. Homotetramers give a delayed-rectifier outward current with rapid activation and slow inactivation, and it contributes to this current in cortical pyramidal neurons and smooth muscle.
Yes. Kv2.2 is the alias for KCNB2, the HGNC symbol for potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily B member 2. Its previous name was potassium voltage-gated channel, Shab-related subfamily, member 2, reflecting the Drosophila shab gene to which the subfamily is related.
Mouse and rat both have a Kcnb2 ortholog. The Shab-related subfamily derives from one of four Drosophila potassium channel genes (shaker, shaw, shab and shal), each with human homologs. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other Kv2 subfamily channels and potassium channel subunits that assemble with KCNB2 into heteromeric complexes.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q92953; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.