Regulation of apoptotic potassium currents by coordinated zinc-dependent signalling.

Oxidant-liberated intracellular Zn(2+) regulates neuronal apoptosis via an exocytotic membrane insertion of Kv2.1-encoded ion channels, resulting in an enhancement of voltage-gated K(+) currents and a loss of intracellular K(+) that is necessary for caspase-mediated proteolysis. In the present study we show that an N-terminal tyrosine of Kv2.

Apoptotic surge of potassium currents is mediated by p38 phosphorylation of Kv2.1.

Kv2.1, the primary delayed rectifying potassium channel in neurons, is extensively regulated by phosphorylation. Previous reports have described Kv2.