Evolution of inwardly rectifying potassium channels and their gene expression in zebrafish embryos

Background Inwardly rectifying potassium channels are essential for normal potassium homeostasis, maintaining the cellular resting membrane potential, and regulating electrolyte transportation. Mutations in Kir channels have been known to cause debilitating diseases ranging from neurological abnormalities to renal and cardiac failures. Many efforts have been made to understand their protein structures, physiological functions, and pharmacological modifiers. However, their expression and functions during embryonic development remain largely unknown. Results Using zebrafish as a model, we identified and renamed 31 kir genes. We also analyzed Kir gene evolution by phylogenetic and syntenic analyses. Our data indicated that the four subtypes of the Kir genes might have already evolved out in chordates. These vertebrate Kir genes most likely resulted from both whole-genome duplications and tandem duplications. In addition, we examined zebrafish kir gene expression during early embryogenesis. Each subgroup's genes showed similar but distinct gene expression domains. The gene expression of ohnologous genes from teleost-specific whole-genome duplication indicated subfunctionalization. Varied temporal gene expression domains suggest that Kir channels may be needed for embryonic patterning or regulation. Conclusions Our phylogenetic and developmental analyses of Kir channels shed light on their evolutionary history and potential functions during embryogenesis related to congenital diseases and human channelopathies.

Automated summary

Our study identified and renamed 31 kir genes in zebrafish, and analyzed their evolutionary history through phylogenetic and syntenic analyses. The expression of zebrafish kir genes during early embryogenesis showed distinct gene expression domains, indicating subfunctionalization of ohnologous genes from whole-genome duplication. The varied temporal gene expression domains suggest a potential role of Kir channels in embryonic patterning or regulation.