Plant K+ channels: Similarity and diversity

In this review we compared the electrophysiological properties of plant K+ uptake channels from different plants and tissues. Taking into account the detailed knowledge of K+ channel properties, which has emerged since the application of the patch-clamp technique on plant cells, as well as results from our recent studies we were able to extract features common among plant K+ channels. In addition, we focused on the diversity that could create plant or tissue-specificity. Functional fingerprints for the voltage-dependent K+ uptake channels were generated on the basis of their voltage-dependence, kinetics, permeability, conductance and pharmacology as well as regulation of K+ channels studied in their natural environment and cloned channels in heterologous expression systems. Finally, sequence information on plant and animal K+ channels cloned so far was used to identify structural motifs that may be related to functional phenotypes.