Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily B member 2

UniProtKB accession:  Q63099

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UniProtKB description:  Voltage-gated potassium channel that mediates transmembrane potassium transport in excitable membranes, primarily in the brain and smooth muscle cells (PubMed:1550672). Channels open or close in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, letting potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. Homotetrameric channels mediate a delayed-rectifier voltage-dependent outward potassium current that display rapid activation and slow inactivation in response to membrane depolarization (PubMed:1550672, PubMed:20202934, PubMed:9305895). Can form functional homotetrameric and heterotetrameric channels that contain variable proportions of KCNB1; channel properties depend on the type of alpha subunits that are part of the channel (PubMed:20202934). Can also form functional heterotetrameric channels with other alpha subunits that are non-conducting when expressed alone, such as KCNS1 and KCNS2, creating a functionally diverse range of channel complexes (PubMed:9305895). In vivo, membranes probably contain a mixture of heteromeric potassium channel complexes, making it difficult to assign currents observed in intact tissues to any particular potassium channel family member. Contributes to the delayed-rectifier voltage-gated potassium current in cortical pyramidal neurons and smooth muscle cells (PubMed:1550672, PubMed:20202934).