Identification of a unique endoplasmic retention motif in the Xenopus GIRK5 channel and its contribution to oocyte maturation.

G protein-activated inward-rectifying potassium (K ) channels (Kir3/GIRK) participate in cell excitability. The GIRK5 channel is present in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In an attempt to investigate the physiological role of GIRK5, we identified a noncanonical di-arginine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif (KRXY).