High impact information on Hk

• The hyperkinetic phase causes a drop in slo gene expression and makes animals more sensitive to benzyl alcohol [1].
• Coexpression of Hk with Sh in Xenopus oocytes increases current amplitudes and changes the voltage dependence and kinetics of activation and inactivation, consistent with predicted functions of Hk in vivo [2].
• We found that Sh, Hk, and eag mutant flies were all hypersensitive to paraquat [3].
• Altered sensitivity of Hk currents to classical K+ channel blockers (4-aminopyridine, alpha-dendrotoxin, and TEA) indicated that Hk mutations modify interactions between voltage-activated K+ channels and these pharmacological probes, apparently by changing both the intra- and extracellular regions of the channel pore [4].
• Analysis of centroid movement indicates that, compared to wild type, both Hk and para larvae crawled at a slower average speed, but a similar peak instantaneous speed during a contraction cycle [5].

Biological context of Hk

• Genetic mutations, Hyperkinetic and Shaker, which are known to shorten life span through an acceleration of the aging process, were used to study the expression of an enhancer trap marked gene [6].
• Altered synaptic transmission in Drosophila hyperkinetic mutants [7].

Anatomical context of Hk

• Here we show that mutations in the Hyperkinetic (Hk) gene also affect the properties of synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction [7].

Associations of Hk with chemical compounds

• Heterologously expressed Hk dramatically increases the amplitudes of eag currents and also affects gating and modulation by progesterone [8].

Regulatory relationships of Hk

• The modulatory effects of the Hk beta subunit appeared to be specific to the Sh alpha subunit because other voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents were not affected by Hk mutations [9].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Hk

• Sequence alignments show that Hk, together with mammalian Kv beta, represents an additional branch of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily [2].

References