Pas de deux in groups of four—the biogenesis of KATP channels

The biogenesis of KATP channels provides an interesting example of the assembly of structurally very different membrane protein subunits into a heterooligomeric complex. This review summarizes our current knowledge with respect to the protein domains driving heteromultimeric assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum, quality control, as well as the determinants and kinetics of subcellular sorting of the KATP channel complex. The impact of disease-associated mutations on KATP channel biogenesis is discussed.