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| Title | Insights into the structure and modulation of human TWIK-2. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | Nat Commun, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Jan 31, 2026 |
Authors | Qianqian Ma / Ciria C Hernandez / Vikas Navratna / Arvind Kumar / Jaimin K Rana / Jiameng Zong / Abraham Lee / Shyamal Mosalaganti / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | The Tandem of pore domain in a Weak Inward Rectifying K channel 2 (TWIK-2; KCNK6) is a member of the Two-Pore Domain K (K) channel family, which is associated with pulmonary hypertension, lung ...The Tandem of pore domain in a Weak Inward Rectifying K channel 2 (TWIK-2; KCNK6) is a member of the Two-Pore Domain K (K) channel family, which is associated with pulmonary hypertension, lung injury, and inflammation. Despite its physiological relevance, the structure, regulatory mechanisms, and selective modulators of TWIK-2 remain largely unknown. Here, we present a 3.7 Å single particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of human TWIK-2 and highlight its conserved and distinctive features. Using automated whole-cell patch clamp recordings, we demonstrate that gating in TWIK-2 is voltage-dependent and insensitive to changes in the extracellular pH. We identify key residues that influence TWIK-2 activity by employing site-directed mutagenesis and provide insights into the possible lipid-mediated mechanism of TWIK-2 regulation. Additionally, we demonstrate the application of high-throughput automated whole-cell patch clamp platforms to screen small molecule modulators of TWIK-2. Our work serves as a foundation for designing high-throughput small molecule screening campaigns to identify specific high-affinity TWIK-2 modulators, including promising- anti-inflammatory therapeutics. |
External links | Nat Commun / PubMed:41617707 |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 3.67 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-47768, PDB-9e94: |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-D10: ![]() ChemComp-K: |
| Source |
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Keywords | TRANSPORT PROTEIN / Potassium ion channel K2P |
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homo sapiens (human)
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