KCNN3
KCNN3 (potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily N member 3; also KCa2.3, hSK3 and SKCA3) is a member of the KCNN family of potassium channels. It is an integral membrane protein that forms a voltage-independent, calcium-activated channel and is thought to regulate neuronal excitability. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KCNN3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Action potentials in vertebrate neurons are followed by an afterhyperpolarisation (AHP) that can persist for several seconds and can strongly influence the firing pattern of the neuron. Each component of the AHP is kinetically distinct and is mediated by different calcium-activated potassium channels. The KCNN3 gene encodes an integral membrane protein that forms a voltage-independent calcium-activated channel. This channel is thought to regulate neuronal excitability by contributing to the slow component of the synaptic AHP.
KCNN3 belongs to the potassium channel KCNN family, within the KCa2.3/KCNN3 subfamily, and sits in the HGNC gene group of potassium calcium-activated channels. UniProt records localisation to the cell membrane and to the Z line of the sarcomere in myofibrils. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for the gene. The UniProt function annotation also describes a form of the protein that does not act as a small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel. Instead, it selectively suppresses endogenous KCNN3 currents in a dominant-negative fashion, reducing the abundance of functional channels in the plasma membrane, possibly by coassembling with native KCNN3 protein and sequestering it in intracellular compartments. This inhibitory effect extends to other members of the SK subfamily.
The coding sequence of the KCNN3 gene contains two CAG repeat regions. Expansion of one or both repeats was once thought to increase susceptibility to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but later studies indicate that this is probably not the case. Earlier gene names described it as a member of the intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel subfamily N. Mouse and rat orthologs are both designated Kcnn3.
KCNN3 is thought to regulate neuronal excitability, making it a relevant channel for studying how neurons shape their firing patterns.
The channel contributes to the slow component of the synaptic AHP, one of several kinetically distinct, calcium-activated potassium conductances.
A dominant-negative form may sequester native KCNN3 intracellularly, offering a route to study surface abundance of SK-subfamily channels.
CAG repeat regions in KCNN3 were examined for links to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and the evidence suggests no such association.
KCNN3 encodes an integral membrane protein that forms a voltage-independent, calcium-activated potassium channel. It is thought to regulate neuronal excitability by contributing to the slow component of the synaptic afterhyperpolarisation that follows action potentials in neurons.
KCNN3 is also known as KCa2.3, hSK3 and SKCA3. Earlier names referred to a potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily N, member 3. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encode different isoforms, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
The gene has two CAG repeat regions, and expansion was once thought to raise susceptibility to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. According to the NCBI Gene summary, later studies indicate this is probably not the case. Mouse and rat both carry a Kcnn3 ortholog.
Other KCNN-family channels and neuronal potassium channels with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UGI6; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.