Diversification of Potassium Currents in Excitable Cells via Kvβ Proteins

Excitable cells of the nervous and cardiovascular systems depend on an assortment of plasmalemmal potassium channels to control diverse cellular functions. Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are central to the feedback control of membrane excitability in these processes due to their activation by depolarized membrane potentials permitting K(+) efflux. Accordingly, Kv currents are differentially controlled not only by numerous cellular signaling paradigms that influence channel abundance and shape voltage sensitivity, but also by heteromeric configurations of channel complexes. In this context, we discuss the current knowledge related to how intracellular Kvβ proteins interacting with pore complexes of Shaker-related Kv1 channels may establish a modifiable link between excitability and metabolic state. Past studies in heterologous systems have indicated roles for Kvβ proteins in regulating channel stability, trafficking, subcellular targeting, and gating. More recent works identifying potential in vivo physiologic roles are considered in light of these earlier studies and key gaps in knowledge to be addressed by future research are described.