Genetic and chemical biological studies of K2P structure, function, and modulatio

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的长期目标是了解控制K2P （KCNK）钾通道功能的基本机制，并开发方法来识别和表征K2P家族的小分子离子通道调节剂。K2Ps是一个多样化的钾选择通道家族，负责背景“泄漏”电流。这些电流是调节神经元兴奋性的关键。K2Ps响应各种刺激，包括pH值变化、温度和机械力。虽然K2Ps在神经系统和心血管系统中有明确的作用，并与疼痛、麻醉反应、热感觉和情绪有关，但它们是最不为人所知的钾通道类。离子通道是令人垂涎的药物靶点。作为膜蛋白，它们很容易被细胞外化合物接触到，它们的调节使心脏和大脑中可兴奋细胞的特性发生快速变化。然而，作为膜蛋白，它们也存在于许多成熟的需要纯化材料的调节剂开发方法之外。因此，许多通道，包括K2P家族的通道，缺乏重要的药理学作用。这个问题导致了我们将离子通道基因与体内功能联系起来的能力出现了空白。我们正在寻求一种多学科方法，包括遗传选择、生物物理和电生理测量，以识别、解剖和表征控制K2P功能的核心元素，并定义和表征控制K2P活性的新小分子。定义控制K2p活性的分子机制和发现新的K2p调节剂应该为理解K2p的功能提供关键框架和必要工具。由于其在人体生理中的重要作用，K2Ps是治疗慢性疼痛、中风和抑郁症的药物靶点。因此，了解K2P如何发挥作用以及寻找影响通道功能的小分子的方法，不仅可以为解剖K2P机制提供有力的工具，还可以帮助开发针对一系列人类疾病的新治疗剂。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goals of this project are to develop an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that control the function of K2P (KCNK) potassium channels and to develop methods to identify and characterize small molecule, ion channel modulators for the K2P family. K2Ps are a diverse family of potassium-selective channels that are responsible for background 'leak' currents. These currents are pivotal in modulating the excitability of neurons. K2Ps respond to varied stimuli that include pH changes, temperature, and mechanical force. Although, K2Ps have well-established roles in the nervous and cardiovascular systems and are implicated in pain, anesthetic responses, thermosensation, and mood, they are the least well-understood potassium channel class. Ion channels are coveted drug targets. As membrane proteins, they are readily accessible to extracellular compounds and their modulation brings about rapid changes in the properties of excitable cells in the heart and brain. However, as membrane proteins, they also reside beyond many of the well-established approaches for modulator development that require purified material. Consequently, many channels, including those in the K2P family, lack significant pharmacologies. This problem leads to a gap in our ability to connect ion channel genes with in vivo function. We are pursuing a multidisciplinary approach that includes genetic selections, biophysical, and electrophysiological measurements to identify, dissect, and characterize the core elements that control K2P function and to define and characterize new small molecules that control K2P activity. Defining the molecular mechanisms that control K2p activity and uncovering new K2P modulators should provide the key framework and necessary tools for understanding how K2Ps function. Because of their important roles in human physiology, K2Ps are targets for drugs for the treatment of chronic pain, stroke, and depression. Thus, developing an understanding of how K2Ps function and means to find and small molecules that affect channel function should not only provide powerful tools for dissecting K2P mechanism but should aid in the development of new therapeutic agents for a range of human diseases.