GIRK1/KIR3.1/KCNJ3 Antibody – Rabbit

Potassium channels are present in most mammalian cells, where they participate in a wide range of physiologic responses. The protein encoded by this gene is an integral membrane protein and inward-rectifier type potassium channel. The encoded protein, which has a greater tendency to allow potassium to flow into a cell rather than out of a cell, is controlled by G-proteins and plays an important role in regulating heartbeat. It associates with three other G-protein-activated potassium channels to form a heteromultimeric pore-forming complex that also couples to neurotransmitter receptors in the brain and whereby channel activation can inhibit action potential firing by hyperpolarizing the plasma membrane. These multimeric G-protein-gated inwardly-rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels may play a role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy, addiction, Down's syndrome, ataxia, and Parkinson's disease. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct proteins. [provided by RefSeq, May 2012]

GIRK1: This potassium channel is controlled by G proteins. Inward rectifier potassium channels are characterized by a greater tendency to allow potassium to flow into the cell rather than out of it. Their voltage dependence is regulated by the concentration of extracellular potassium; as external potassium is raised, the voltage range of the channel opening shifts to more positive voltages. The inward rectification is mainly due to the blockage of outward current by internal magnesium. This receptor plays a crucial role in regulating the heartbeat. Belongs to the inward rectifier-type potassium channel (TC 1.A.2.1) family. KCNJ3 subfamily.

Protein type: Membrane protein, multi-pass; Membrane protein, integral; Channel, potassium

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 2q24.1

Cellular Component: voltage-gated potassium channel complex; T-tubule; plasma membrane; external side of plasma membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; G-protein activated inward rectifier potassium channel activity; inward rectifier potassium channel activity

Biological Process: synaptic transmission; potassium ion import; response to electrical stimulus; potassium ion transport