Gi Irks GIRKs.

G protein-activated potassium channels (GIRKs), monitored with the temporal and molecular resolution of electrophysiology, play a key role in the study of signal transduction. GIRKs are activated primarily by the G(beta)(gamma) subunits, but a paper by Peleg et al. (2002 [this issue of Neuron]) demonstrates a role for G(alpha) subunits in suppressing basal activity and supports the idea of a macromolecular complex of G protein, GIRK, and perhaps RGS protein.