Localization of Tandem Pore Domain K⁺ Channels

K2P channels are widely expressed in mammals and participate in many important physiological functions. Creative Bioarray focuses on detecting and analyzing the distribution of K2P channels in a variety of tissues to provide useful information for exploring the mechanisms by which these channels regulate important physiological activities.

Introduction

The K2P channels are a family of 15 members that generate background leak-type potassium currents with Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (open) rectification and regulate resting membrane potential and cellular excitability levels. These channels are regulated by voltage-independent mechanisms, such as pH, signaling lipids, mechanical stretch, and temperature. Structurally, the most important feature that distinguishes the K2P family from conventional potassium channels is its homodimeric assembly, which is associated with the fact that each subunit of this family member possesses a unique structural domain of four transmembrane segments (M1-M4) and two pore regions (P1, P2), whereas conventional potassium channels are homotetrameric.

K2P channels are classified into six subfamilies according to their biophysical and pharmacological properties: TWIK, TREK, TASK, TALK, THIK, and TRESK. K2P channels are considered to be targets for a range of clinically important drugs, including inhalation and local anesthetics, antidepressants, and neuroprotective agents. However, to date, data on the expression and localization of K2P channels in distinct tissues are limited.

Fig. 1 Localization of TRESK immunoreactivity in the mouse retina. (Hughes, 2017)

Our Services

We provide our clients with K2P channel location services through a variety of means such as northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Our professional research team formulates the optimal experimental scheme for samples provided by clients to obtain accurate localization information of K2P channels. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Localization of K2P channel proteins in the rat retina.
  We help our clients to localize various K2P channel proteins such as TWIK-type, TREK-type, and TASK-type channels in the retina and to detect changes in the expression of these channels in Müller cells and retinal ganglion cells.
• Localization of K2P channel proteins in the rat central nervous system.
  We offer services for the localization of various K2P channels such as TASK-1 and TASK-2 at the cellular level.
• Localization of K2P channels in the rat carotid body.
  We help our clients to analyze the distribution and expression of the TASK and TREK subfamilies in the carotid body, providing useful information for investigating the functional significance of K2P channels in the glomus/paraganglion cells.
• Expression analysis and localization of K2P channels in mammalian reproductive organs and germ cells.

Applications

• Study on the mechanism of KP2 channels involved in the control of cell excitability
• Study on ion channel-related functions in reproductive physiology
• Development of therapies for common retinal diseases

Creative Bioarray has a team of researchers with extensive expertise in the field of ion channels to ensure high-quality K2P channel localization services for our clients. We are committed to developing a number of services to meet the scientific needs of our clients in ion channel research. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Hughes, S.; et al. Expression and localization of two-pore domain (K2P) background leak potassium ion channels in the mouse retina. Scientific reports, 2017, 7(1): 1-14.