Potassium voltage-gated

Understand the function of sodium and potassium voltage-gated channels... 

Kv 3 -subunits are auxiliary subunits of Shaker-related Kv-channels, which belong to the Kvl subfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels. Kv(3 -subunits may function as chaperones in Kva -subunit assembly and may modulate the gating properties of Kv-channels. In particular, some Kv(3 -subunits may confer a rapid inactivation to otherwise non-inactivating Kv-channels. 

Kv-channel is an abbreviation of voltage-gated potassium channels. K stands for potassium and v for voltage. 

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. 

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are membrane-inserted protein complexes, which form potassium-selective pores that are gated by changes in the potential across the membrane. The potassium current flow through the open channel follows by the electrochemical gradient as defined by the Nernst equation. In general, Kv channels are localized in the plasma membrane. 

Pongs O (1999) Voltage-gated potassium channels from hyperexcitability to excitement. FEBS Lett 452 31-35... 

Peukert S, Brendel J, Pirard B, Briiggemann A, Below P, Kleemann HW, Hem-merle H, Schmidt W. Identification, synthesis, and activity of novel blockers of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kvl.5. J Med Chem 2003 46 486-98. 

Gutman, G. A. et al. International Union of Pharmacology. XLI. Compendium of voltage-gated ion channels potassium channels. Pharmacol. Rev. 55 583-586,2003. 

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