title: Functions of erg K+ channels in excitable cells.
abstract: Ether-à-go-go-related gene (erg) channels are voltage-dependent K+ channels mediating inward-rectifying K+ currents because of their peculiar gating kinetics. These characteristics are essential for repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Inherited and acquired malfunctioning of erg channels may lead to the long QT-syndrome. However, erg currents have also been recorded in many other excitable cells, like smooth muscle fibres of the gastrointestinal tract, neuroblastoma cells or neuroendocrine cells. In these cells erg currents contribute to the maintenance of the resting potential. Changes in the resting potential are related to cell-specific functions like increase in hormone secretion, frequency adaptation or increase in contractility.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Angewandte Physiologie, Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. schwarz@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: Jürgen R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Christiane K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D004594:Electrophysiology; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000473:pathology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C000606913:KCNH2 protein, human; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D011388:Prolactin; D010100:Oxygen