Cloned human potassium channels

Assessment of effects on cloned hERC K channels with stable expression in a cell line by measurement of whole cell K current (1 ) using voltage clamp is the most frequent approach. Other cloned human ion channels (e.g., KvLQTl/minK-lKs currents) are also possible. 

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Shaker-channels, eag (ether- -go-go)-channels, slo (slow-poke)-channels were cloned from behavioral Drosophila melanogaster mutants. The channels were named according to the Drosophila mutant phenotype, Shaker, ether-go-go, slow-poke. Subsequently, eag-cDNA was used to clone related voltage-gated potassium channel subunits erg (eag-related) and elk (eag-like). The human erg ortholog (HERG) mediates cardiac DCS. 

Occhiodoro T, Bernheim L, Liu J, Bijlenga P, Sinnreich M, Bader CR, Fischer-Lougheed J (1998) Cloning of a human ether-a-go-go potassium channel expressed in myoblasts at the onset of fusion. FEBS Lett 434 177-182... 

Murai T, Kazikuza A, Takumi T, Ohkubo H, Nakanishi S. 1989. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of human genomic DNA encoding a novel membrane protein which exhibits a slowly activating potassium channel activity. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 161 176-81... 

Future Direction. Potassium channels, especially the KCNQ family, are widely involved with the physiology and pathophysiology of the human body. Research into their biology will continue to blossom as more cloned KCNQ subunits are available, along with selective agents to modify their action. 

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