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.