Distribution and functional properties of human KCNH8 (Elk1) potassium channels

Icagen Inc., Durham, North Carolina 27703 Submitted 2 May 2003 ; accepted in final form 22 July 2003 The Elk subfamily of the Eag K + channel gene family is represented in mammals by three genes that are highly conserved between humans and rodents. Here we report the distribution and functional prop...

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Published in:American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology 2003-12, Vol.285 (6), p.C1356-C1366
Main Authors: Zou, Anruo, Lin, Zhixin, Humble, Margaret, Creech, Christopher D, Wagoner, P. Kay, Krafte, Douglas, Jegla, Timothy J, Wickenden, Alan D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Brain - physiology
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
Humans
Membrane Potentials - physiology
Molecular Sequence Data
Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Phylogeny
Potassium Channels - physiology
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger - analysis
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Species Specificity
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Summary:Icagen Inc., Durham, North Carolina 27703 Submitted 2 May 2003 ; accepted in final form 22 July 2003 The Elk subfamily of the Eag K + channel gene family is represented in mammals by three genes that are highly conserved between humans and rodents. Here we report the distribution and functional properties of a member of the human Elk K + channel gene family, KCNH8. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression patterns showed that KCNH8, along with the other Elk family genes, KCNH3 and KCNH4, are primarily expressed in the human nervous system. KCNH8 was expressed at high levels, and the distribution showed substantial overlap with KCNH3. In Xenopus oocytes, KCNH8 gives rise to slowly activating, voltage-dependent K + currents that open at hyperpolarized potentials (half-maximal activation at -62 mV). Coexpression of KCNH8 with dominant-negative KCNH8, KCNH3, and KCNH4 subunits led to suppression of the KCNH8 currents, suggesting that Elk channels can form heteromultimers. Similar experiments imply that KCNH8 subunits are not able to form heteromultimers with Eag, Erg, or Kv family K + channels. electrophysiology; human nervous system; potassium current Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. D. Wickenden, Icagen, Inc., 4222 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC 27703 (E-mail: awickenden{at}icagen.com ).
ISSN:0363-6143
1522-1563
DOI:10.1152/ajpcell.00179.2003