HERG Channel Dysfunction in Human Long QT Syndrome
Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: Mutations in HERG are associated with human chromosome 7-linked congenital long QT (LQT-2) syndrome. We used electrophysiological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical methods to study the molecular mechanisms of HERG channel dysfunction caused by LQT-2 mutations. Wild type HERG and LQT-2 mutations were studied by stable and transient expression in HEK 293 cells. We found that some mutations (Y611H and V822M) caused defects in biosynthetic processing of HERG channels with the protein retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Other mutations (I593R and G628S) were processed similarly to wild type HERG protein, but these mutations did not produce functional channels. In contrast, the T474I mutation expressed HERG current but with altered gating properties. These findings suggest that the loss of HERG channel function in LQT-2 mutations is caused by multiple mechanisms including abnormal channel processing, the generation of nonfunctional channels, and altered channel gating.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Authors: Zhengfeng Zhou, Qiuming Gong, Miles L. Epstein, Craig T. January
Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,430
OpenAlex ID: W1963890550