Potassium channels in epithelial transport

Epithelial cells in the kidney, gastrointestinal tract and exocrine glands are engaged in vectorial transport of salt and nutrients. In these tissues, K+ channels play an important role for the stabilization of membrane voltage and maintenance of the driving force for electrogenic transport. Luminal K+ channels represent an exit pathway for the excretion of K+ in secreted fluid, urine and faeces, thereby effecting body K+ homeostasis. Indeed, the expression and function of several luminal K+ channels is modulated by hormones regulating water, Na+, and K+ metabolism. In addition to net transport of K+ in the serosal (or apical) direction, K+ channels can be coupled functionally to K+-transporting ATPases such as the basolateral Na+/K+ ATPase or the luminal H+/K+ ATPase. These ATPases export Na+ or H+ and take up K+, which is then recycled via K+ channels. This review gives a short overview on the molecular identity of epithelial K+ channels and summarizes the different mechanisms of K+ channel function during transport in epithelial cell