Properties and modulation of mammalian 2P domain K+ channels

Mammalian 2P domain K+ channels are responsible for background or 'leak' K currents. These channels are regulated by various physical and chemical st imuli, including membrane stretch, temperature, acidosis, lipids and inhala tional anaesthetics. Furthermore, channel activity is tightly controlled by membrane receptor stimulation and second messenger phosphorylation pathway s. Several members of this novel family of K+ channels are highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems in which they are proposed t o play an important physiological role. The pharmacological modulation of t his novel class of ion channels could be of interest for both general anaes thesia and ischaemic neuroprotection.