KCNAB2
Description
The KCNAB2 (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A regulatory beta subunit 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
KCNAB2, the gene encoding voltage-gated potassium channel subunit beta-2, is involved in regulating a variety of cellular processes. It belongs to the shaker-related subfamily of potassium channels and functions as an auxiliary protein that associates with functional Kv-alpha subunits. KCNAB2 alters the properties of the KCNA4 gene product and exists in two isoforms due to alternative splicing. In melanocytic cells, its expression may be regulated by MITF. KCNAB2 has been shown to interact with KCNA2. Overall, KCNAB2 plays a crucial role in modulating the activity of voltage-gated potassium channels, which are critical for various cellular functions.
KCNAB2 is a cytoplasmic potassium channel subunit that regulates the properties of the channel-forming alpha-subunits. It plays a role in nerve signaling by preventing neuronal hyperexcitability. KCNAB2 promotes the expression of the pore-forming alpha subunits at the cell membrane, increasing channel activity. It also promotes potassium channel closure without physically obstructing the channel pore. Specifically, KCNAB2 promotes KCNA4 channel closure and modulates the functional properties of KCNA5. It enhances KCNB2 channel activity and binds NADPH, exhibiting NADPH-dependent aldoketoreductase activity. KCNAB2 has a broad substrate specificity and can catalyze the reduction of various compounds like methylglyoxal, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, prostaglandin J2, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-nitroacetophenone, and 4-oxo-trans-2-nonenal in vitro.
KCNAB2 is also known as AKR6A5, HKvbeta2, HKvbeta2.1, HKvbeta2.2, KCNA2B, KV-BETA-2.
