The HERG K+ channel : progress in understanding the molecular basis of its unusual gating kinetics

Jamie I. Vandenberg, Allan M. Torres, Terence J. Campbell, Philip W. Kuchel

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    The HERG K+ channel has very unusual kinetic behaviour that includes slow activation but rapid inactivation. These features are critical for normal cardiac repolarisation as well as in preventing lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Extensive mutagenesis of the HERG K+ channel has allowed identification of which regions of the channel are important for the unusual kinetic behaviour of the channel. Furthermore, structural studies on scorpion toxins that potently inhibit HERG are beginning to provide clues as to the structural differences between HERG and other voltage-gated K+ channels.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages9
    JournalEuropean Biophysics Journal
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2004

    Keywords

    • HERG K+ channel
    • heart
    • molecular aspects
    • potassium channels

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