Research into the therapeutic roles of two-pore-domain potassium channels.
The K(2P) potassium channels are responsible for the background conductance observed in several tissues. Their ubiquitous localization and thus their potential implications in diseases have led to increased research on these channels over the last few years. In this review, we outline different aspects of the research on K(2P) channels and highlight some of the latest discoveries in this area. We focus on research into K(2P) channels as potential therapeutic targets in ischemia/hypoxia, depression, memory disorders, pain, cardiovascular disease and disorders of the immune system. We address the challenge of developing novel pharmacological compounds to target these channels. We also discuss the regulation of expression of the K(2P) gene in health and disease, as well as the value of assessing the expression of K(2P) channels as potential biomarkers of disease.
Department of Anesthesiology Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Zeineb
Z
Es-Salah-Lamoureux
David F
DF
Steele
David
D
Fedida
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels