The Shaker gene family of Drosophila encodes components of voltage-gated potassium channels and is comprised of four subfamilies. Based on sequence similarity, this gene is similar to one of these subfamilies, namely the Shaw subfamily. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the delayed rectifier class of channel proteins and is an integral membrane protein that mediates the voltage-dependent potassium ion permeability of excitable membranes. Several transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, May 2012],
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Function:
Domain:The segment S4 is probably the voltage-sensor and is characterized by a series of positively charged amino acids at every third position.,Domain:The tail may be important in modulation of channel activity and/or targeting of the channel to specific subcellular compartments.,Function:Mediates the voltage-dependent potassium ion permeability of excitable membranes. Assuming opened or closed conformations in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, the protein forms a potassium-selective channel through which potassium ions may pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. Channel properties are modulated by subunit assembly.,similarity:Belongs to the potassium channel family. C (Shaw) subfamily.,subunit:The potassium channel is probably composed of a homo- or heterotetrameric complex of pore-forming subunits that can associate with modulating accessory subunits. Interacts with KCNC1, KCNE1, KCNE2 and KCNE3.,
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Cellular Localization:
Cell membrane ; Multi-pass membrane protein . Membrane ; Multi-pass membrane protein . Perikaryon . Cell projection, axon . Cell projection, dendrite . Cell junction, synapse, postsynaptic cell membrane . Cell junction, synapse, presynaptic cell membrane . Cell junction, synapse, synaptosome . Cell junction, synapse . Apical cell membrane . Basolateral cell membrane . Colocalizes with parvalbumin in globus pallidus neurons. Localizes in thalamocortical axons and synapses. Localizes on the surface of cell somata, proximal dendrites and axonal membranes. Also detected throughout the neuropil. Localized in starburst cell somata and proximal dendrite processes. Colocalized with GABA in presynaptic terminals. Clustered in patches in somatic and proximal dendritic membrane as well as in axons and presnypatic terminals of GABAergic interneurons; some of these patches are found near postsynaptic sites. .