Abstract

K⁺ channels play a crucial role in regulating the excitability of neurons. Many K⁺ channels are, in turn, regulated by neurotransmitters. One of the first neurotransmitter-regulated channels to be identified, some 25 years ago, was the M channel. This was categorized as such because its activity was inhibited through stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. M channels are now known to be composed of subunits of the Kv7 (KCNQ) K⁺ channel family. However, until recently, the link between the receptors and the channels has remained elusive. Here, we summarize recent developments that have begun to clarify this link and discuss their implications for physiology and medicine.

Author affiliations

1. Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie Cellulaire, UMR 6150 CNRS, Faculté de Médecine, IFR Jean Roche, Bd. Pierre Dramard, 13916 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
   Email: delmas.p@jean-roche.univ-mrs.fr
2. Department of Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
   Email: d.a.brown@ucl.ac.uk

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.