Current Topics In Membrances, Vol. 46

This book is the first to focus on potassium ion channels and covers the recent remarkable progress made in research on these proteins. Many diseases are caused by the abnormalities of potassium ion channels. They include diabetes mellitus, life-threatening hereditary cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy, neural degeneration, and renal hypertension. Written by leading scientists in the field, this volume offers readers a comprehensive update of this field in the understanding of the genes, molecular structure, function and diseases of potassium ion channels.

• The first comprehensive volume on potassium ion channels in all aspects of genes, molecular structure, function, and diseases
• Completely up-to-date information
• Written by leading scientists in the field

Potassium ion channels are an essential component of cell excitation. Recent rapid progresses in the field of potassium ion channels have further disclosed the importance of this superfamily of membrane proteins in understanding not only many cellular functions but also human diseases. The K+ channels are involved in such physiological processes as glucose-induced secretion of insulin, deceleration of heart beat, formation of slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential in brain and secretion, absorption of potassium ions in epithelial cells and so on. Many diseases are caused by the abnormalities of potassium ion channels. They include diabetes mellitus, life-threatening hereditary cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy, neural degeneration and renal hypertension. This volume offers the readers the comprehensive state of art of this field in the understanding of the genes, molecular structure, function, and diseases of potassium ion channels.