12303, a novel human TWIK molecule and uses thereof

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated TWIK-8 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel TWIK-related potassium channel subunit molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing TWIK-8 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a TWIK-8 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated TWIK-8 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-TWIK-8 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.