title: Protein distribution of Kcnq1, Kcnh2, and Kcne3 potassium channel subunits during mouse embryonic development.
abstract: Voltage-dependent potassium channels consist of a pore-forming alpha-subunit, which is modulated by additional beta-ancillary or regulatory subunits. Kcnq1 and Kcnh2 alpha-channel subunits play pivotal roles in the developing and adult heart. However, Kcnq1 and Kcnh2 have a much wider expression profile than strictly confined to the myocardium, similar to their putative regulatory Kcne1-5 beta-subunits. At present, the distribution of distinct potassium channel subunits has been partially mapped in adult tissues, whereas almost no information is available during embryonic development. In this study, we report a detailed analysis of Kcnq1, Kcnh2, and Kcne3 protein expression during mouse embryogenesis. Our results demonstrate that Kcnq1 and Kcnh2 are widely distributed. Coexpression of both alpha-subunits is observed in a wide variety of organs, such as heart and the skeletal muscle, whereas others display unique Kcnq1 or Knch2 expression. Interestingly, Kcne3 expression is also widely observed in distinct tissue layers during embryogenesis, supporting the notion that an exquisite balance of alpha- and beta-subunit expression is required for modulating potassium conductance in distinct organs and tissue layers.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Development Group, Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain.
authors.forename: María Pilar
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aránega
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004064:Digestive System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D051657:KCNQ1 Potassium Channel / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000378:metabolism*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014738:Vibrissae / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; D051657:KCNQ1 Potassium Channel; C498827:Kcne3 protein, mouse; C000606915:Kcnh2 protein, mouse; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated