Lipid and mechano-gated 2P domain K+ channels

The two pore domain K+ channels TREK and TRAAK are opened by membrane stretch. The activating mechanical force comes from the bilayer membrane and is independent of the cytoskeleton. Emerging work shows that mechano-gated TREK and TRAAK are opened by,various lipids,including long chain polyunsaturated anionic fatty acids and neutral cone-shaped: lysophospholipids. TREK-1 shares the properties of the Aplysia neuronal S channel, a presynaptic background K+ channel involved in behavioral sensitization, a simple form of learning.