title: Distribution and functional properties of human KCNH8 (Elk1) potassium channels.
abstract: The Elk subfamily of the Eag K+ channel gene family is represented in mammals by three genes that are highly conserved between humans and rodents. Here we report the distribution and functional properties of a member of the human Elk K+ channel gene family, KCNH8. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression patterns showed that KCNH8, along with the other Elk family genes, KCNH3 and KCNH4, are primarily expressed in the human nervous system. KCNH8 was expressed at high levels, and the distribution showed substantial overlap with KCNH3. In Xenopus oocytes, KCNH8 gives rise to slowly activating, voltage-dependent K+ currents that open at hyperpolarized potentials (half-maximal activation at -62 mV). Coexpression of KCNH8 with dominant-negative KCNH8, KCNH3, and KCNH4 subunits led to suppression of the KCNH8 currents, suggesting that Elk channels can form heteromultimers. Similar experiments imply that KCNH8 subunits are not able to form heteromultimers with Eag, Erg, or Kv family K+ channels.
authors.affiliation: Icagen, Inc., 4222 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC 27703, USA.
authors.forename: Anruo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Zhixin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Humble
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Creech
authors.forename: P Kay
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wagoner
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krafte
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jegla
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Wickenden
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010802:Phylogeny; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C121381:KCNH3 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger