KCNMB2
Description
The KCNMB2 (potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily M regulatory beta subunit 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
The KCNMB2 gene encodes the calcium-activated potassium channel subunit beta-2 protein. Big Potassium (BK) channels are large conductance, voltage and calcium-sensitive potassium channels essential for controlling smooth muscle tone and neuronal excitability. BK channels comprise two distinct subunits: a pore-forming alpha subunit and a modulatory beta subunit. Each complete BK channel contains four copies of the alpha subunit and up to four beta subunits. KCNMB2 encodes an auxiliary beta subunit that influences the calcium sensitivity of BK currents and induces persistent inactivation after activation of BK current. KCNMB2 is expressed in various endocrine cells, including pancreatic and adrenal chromaffin cells, and is also found in the brain, particularly the hippocampus. It is homologous to three other genes in mammalian genomes: KCNMB1 (primarily in smooth muscle), KCNMB3, and KCNMB4 (the primary brain BK auxiliary subunit). KCNMB2 comprises two domains: an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, the ball and chain domain, responsible for rapid channel inactivation, and a C-terminal calcium-activated potassium channel beta subunit domain.
KCNMB2 is also known as -.
