Cell biology aspects of ion channel functioning: microdomain formation, lateral mobility and ER export

离子通道的正确功能不仅取决于对其活性的控制，还取决于通道对质膜中特定区域的定位及其向质膜的调控运输。植物K+通道KAT1在质膜上形成大簇。这一通道到质膜的有效运输依赖于内质网输出信号。我们将利用电生理、分子生物学和荧光显微镜技术来研究K+通道的空间分布和内质网输出的调控机制。我们还将分析这些过程在渠道运作中的作用。因此，我们将研究已知在特定区域富含的脂类对通道动力学和侧向迁移率的影响。此外，我们将确定受调控的内质网输出和K+通道异构体运输之间的关系，并表征似乎与K+通道合成相关的ER亚域。

The correct functioning of ion channels depends not only on the control of their activity but also on the localisation of the channel to specific domains in the plasma membrane and its regulated transport to the plasma membrane. The plant K+ channel KAT1 forms large clusters in the plasma membrane. The efficient transport of this channel to the plasma membrane was found to depend on ER export signals. Using electrophysiological, molecular biology and fluorescence microscopy techniques we will investigate the mechanisms underlying the spatial distribution of the K+ channel and the regulation of ER export. We will also analyse the role of these processes in channel functioning. We will therefore study the effect of lipids known to be enriched in specific domains on channel kinetics and lateral mobility. In addition, we will determine the relationship between regulated ER export and trafficking of K+ channel heteromers and characterise ER subdomains which seem to be associated with K+ channel synthesis.