KCNS3
Description
The KCNS3 (potassium voltage-gated channel modifier subfamily S member 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2.
KCNS3, also known as Kv9.3, is a protein encoded by the KCNS3 gene. It belongs to the S subfamily of potassium channels and is highly expressed in pulmonary artery myocytes, placenta, and parvalbumin-containing GABA neurons in the brain cortex. Variations in the KCNS3 gene have been linked to airway hyperresponsiveness, while reduced KCNS3 mRNA expression is found in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia. KCNS3 is not functional on its own, but can form functional heteromultimers with other potassium channel subunits like Kv2.1 (encoded by KCNB1) and Kv2.2 (encoded by KCNB2). These heteromultimers, typically composed of three Kv2.1 subunits and one Kv9.3 subunit, contribute to regulating membrane potential and action potential characteristics.
KCNS3 is a potassium channel subunit that cannot form functional channels on its own. However, it can form functional heterotetrameric channels with KCNB1, influencing the activation and deactivation rates of KCNB1's delayed rectifier voltage-gated potassium channel. These heterotetrameric channels, when formed with KCNB1, display enhanced current amplitude and a shift in the action potential activation threshold towards more negative values in hypoxic pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
KCNS3 is also known as KV9.3.
