KCNE gene expression is dependent on the proliferation and mode of activation of leukocytes |
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Authors: | Laura Solé Albert Vallejo-Gracia Sara R Roig Antonio Serrano-Albarrás Laura Marruecos Joan Manils Diana Gómez Concepció Soler Antonio Felipe |
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Institution: | 1.Molecular Physiology Laboratory; Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular; Institut de Biomedicina; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain;2.Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental; Facultat de Medicina; Campus de Bellvitge; Universitat de Barcelona; L''Hospitalet de Llobregat; Barcelona, Spain |
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Abstract: | Voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels are tightly regulated during the immune system response. Leukocytes have a limited repertoire of Kv channels, whose physiological role is under intense investigation. A functional Kv channel is an oligomeric complex composed of pore-forming and ancillary subunits. The KCNE gene family is a novel group of modulatory Kv channel elements in leukocytes. Here, we characterized the gene expression of KCNEs (1–5) in leukocytes and investigated their regulation during leukocyte proliferation and mode of activation. Murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages, human Jurkat T-lymphocytes and human Raji B-cells were analyzed. KCNEs (1–5) are expressed in all leukocytes lineages. Most KCNE mRNAs show cell cycle-dependent regulation and are differentially regulated under specific insults. Our results further suggest a new and yet undefined physiological role for KCNE subunits in the immune system. Putative associations of these ancillary proteins with Kv channels would yield a wide variety of biophysically and pharmacologically distinct channels that fine-tune the immunological response. |
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Keywords: | activation cell cycle gene expression lymphocytes macrophages regulatory subunits voltage-dependent potassium channels |
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