Signaling protein complexes associated with neuronal ion channels

Abstract

The pore-forming subunits of many ion channels exist in the membrane as one component of a regulatory protein complex, which may also contain one or more signaling proteins that contribute to the modulation of channel properties. Here I review this field, with emphasis on several different kinds of neuronal potassium channels for which the evidence for ion channel signaling complexes is most compelling. A key challenge for the future is to determine the roles of such signaling protein complexes in neuronal physiology and behavior.