Kv7 potassium channel (most specifically: Kv7.1 potassium channel, though some sources include Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 as cAMP-sensitive) (Kv7 (for the family); Kv7.1 (for the main cardiac subtype))

Kv7 potassium channels (encoded by KCNQ genes) are crucial voltage-gated ion channels found in cardiac, neuronal, epithelial, and smooth muscle cells—they control potassium ion conductance across membranes and modulate action potential repolarization, cell excitability, and signal transduction. cAMP regulates these channels both directly and via effector proteins such as PKA or EPAC, impacting their gating, trafficking, and function in tissue-specific manners. Dysregulation can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases (notably long QT syndrome), and these channels are considered important therapeutic targets for arrhythmias, neuropsychiatric disorders, and vascular dysfunction[4][2][7]. Note: The term "cAMP-activated potassium channel" itself is ambiguous and non-canonical; the correct scientific names are "Kv7 potassium channel," "KCNQ channel," or the specific subtype (e.g., "Kv7.1 potassium channel"). These are not directly "activated" by cAMP in the manner of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs), but rather regulated by cAMP-dependent pathways[4][7].

Other names

Voltage-gated potassium channel Kv7.1KCNQ1 channelKv7 potassium channelKCNQ channelslow delayed rectifier potassium channelI_Ks channel (cardiac context)

Activation or inhibition of potassium ion flow to modulate cellular excitability cAMP-mediated signaling via phosphorylation (PKA) or direct binding to channel complexes