KCNQ Channels are Sensors of Cell Volume

Abstract

Many important physiological processes involve changes in cell volume, e.g., the transport of salt and water in epithelial cells and the contraction of muscle cells. These cells respond to swelling with a so-called regulatory volume decrease which involves the activation of K+ channels. However, the molecular identity of the involved K+ channels has not been clear, and in particular, the mechanism for activation has been obscure.