Intracellular potassium stabilizes human ether-a-go-go-related gene channels for export from endoplasmic reticulum.

ABSTRACT: Several therapeutic compounds have been identified that prolong the QT interval on the electrocardiogram and cause torsade de pointes arrhythmias not by direct block of the cardiac potassium channel human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) but via disruption of hERG trafficking to the cell surface membrane. One example of a clinically important compound class that potently inhibits hERG trafficking are cardiac glycosides. We have shown previously that inhibition of hERG trafficking by cardiac glycosides is initiated via direct block of Na(+)/K(+) pumps and not via off-target interactions with hERG or any other protein. However, it was not known how pump inhibition at the cell surface is coupled to hERG processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we show that depletion of intracellular K(

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2684933 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature