CLONING OF MAMMALIAN INWARD RECTIFIER POTASSIUM CHANNEL cDNAs

摘要

This disclosure relates to two separate and distinct inward rectifier K+ channel expression products and the genes which encode each expression product. The IRK1 gene encodes an inward rectifier K+ channel and the GIRK1 gene encodes a G protein coupled muscarinic K+ channel. The disclosure relates to the uses of these expression products, particularly in combination with identifying physiological processes mediated by these channels, such as regulation of heartbeat and insulin release and materials modulating or blocking same.