The negatively coupled movement of the activation and inactivation gates of Kv channels regulates ion flow across membranes in response to changes in membrane potential. Although they share a common pore design, the K2P leak channels are open at all potentials and are believed to act only through a slow inactivation gate. New data reveal that, similarly to the Kv channels, leak channels possess a constitutively open lower activation gate. Positive coupling between the two gates ensure constant leak currents across the membrane.
- Yuval Ben-Abu
- Yufeng Zhou
- Ofer Yifrach
