| KCNK9 — TASK-3 (Two-pore domain potassium channel) | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | KCNK9 |
| Full Name | TASK-3 (Two-pore domain potassium channel) |
| Chromosome | 8q24.22 |
| NCBI Gene | 51302 |
| Ensembl | ENSG00000149402 |
| OMIM | 607366 |
| UniProt | Q9NPC2 |
| Diseases | Alzheimer's Disease, Ataxia |
| Expression | Brain (cortex, thalamus, hippocampus) |
KCNK9 is a gene implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this gene, its functions, and its relevance to disease mechanisms.
KCNK9 (TASK-3) is a member of the two-pore domain potassium channel family. These channels regulate neuronal resting membrane potential and excitability. TASK-3 channels are expressed in neurons and have been implicated in neurodegenerative processes.
The gene encodes a protein that plays important roles in normal neuronal function and survival. Understanding its normal function provides insight into how dysregulation contributes to neurodegenerative processes in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS.
KCNK9 encodes a protein involved in various cellular processes relevant to neuronal health. The protein localizes to specific cellular compartments and participates in signaling pathways that regulate:
KCNK9 is expressed in Brain (cortex, thalamus, hippocampus). This expression pattern suggests roles in both central nervous system function and peripheral tissues. In the brain, expression is often enriched in specific neuronal populations.
Alterations in KCNK9 expression or function have been reported in Alzheimer's disease brain tissue. Changes may contribute to amyloid processing, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, or neuronal loss.
KCNK9 has been implicated in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis through roles in dopaminergic neuron survival, protein aggregation, or mitochondrial dysfunction.
Depending on its specific function, KCNK9 may also play roles in other neurodegenerative conditions including ALS, Huntington's disease, and frontotemporal dementia.
Understanding the role of KCNK9 in neurodegeneration may lead to therapeutic strategies targeting: