hERG potassium channels and cardiac arrhythmia.
hERG potassium channels are essential for normal electrical activity in the heart. Inherited mutations in the HERG gene cause long QT syndrome, a disorder that predisposes individuals to life-threatening arrhythmias. Arrhythmia can also be induced by a blockage of hERG channels by a surprisingly diverse group of drugs. This side effect is a common reason for drug failure in preclinical safety trials. Insights gained from the crystal structures of other potassium channels have helped our understanding of the block of hERG channels and the mechanisms of gating.
Sanguinetti
Michael C
MC
Department of Physiology, University of Utah, 95 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. sanguinetti@cvrti.utah.edu
Tristani-Firouzi
Martin
M
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D004594:Electrophysiology; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011487:Protein Conformation
D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C000606913:KCNH2 protein, human; D015221:Potassium Channels