hERG potassium channels and cardiac arrhythmia

Michael C Sanguinetti; Martin Tristani-Firouzi

doi:10.1038/nature04710

hERG potassium channels and cardiac arrhythmia

Nature. 2006 Mar 23;440(7083):463-9. doi: 10.1038/nature04710.

Authors

Michael C Sanguinetti¹, Martin Tristani-Firouzi

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physiology, University of Utah, 95 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. sanguinetti@cvrti.utah.edu

PMID: 16554806
DOI: 10.1038/nature04710

Abstract

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.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / genetics
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / metabolism
ERG1 Potassium Channel
Electrophysiology
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / antagonists & inhibitors
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / chemistry
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / genetics
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / physiology*
Heart / physiology
Humans
Ion Channel Gating
Long QT Syndrome / metabolism
Mutation
Potassium Channels
Protein Conformation

Substances

ERG1 Potassium Channel
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
KCNH2 protein, human
Potassium Channels