KCNQ1/mink/Kv7.1

Kv7.1 (KvLQT1) is a potassium channel protein (primary subunit in humans encoded by the KCNQ1 gene). Kv7.1 is a voltage-gated potassium channel present in the cell membranes of cardiac tissue and in inner ear neurons among other tissues. In the cardiac cells, Kv7.1 mediates the I_Ks (or slow delayed rectifying K⁺) current that contributes to the repolarization of the cardiac action potential, terminating the cardiac action potential and thereby the heart's contraction.

Mutations in the gene can lead to a defective protein and several forms of inherited arrhythmias as Long QT syndrome which is a prolongation of the QT interval of heart repolarization, short QT syndrome, and familial atrial fibrillation.

Fig. 1 Kv7.1 current amplitude is reduced by extracellular potassium

In Creative Bioarray, our screening and concentration-response assays (IC₅₀) of compounds for interactions with the KCNQ1/minK channel identify potential risk of QT prolongation in humans, and can be used as a screen in development candidate selection.

Reference

1. Larsen AP, et al. Extracellular potassium inhibits Kv7.1 potassium channels by stabilizing an inactivated state. Biophys J. 2011; 101: 818–827.

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