Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv7)

The Kv7 family of voltage-gated potassium (K⁺) channels, also known as KCNQ channels, consists of five main members: Kv7.1 to Kv7.5, encoded by the genes KCNQ1 through KCNQ5. These channels are essential regulators of cellular excitability in neurons, cardiac muscle, and other tissues. Each functional channel is a tetramer composed of four α-subunits. Each α-subunit contains six transmembrane segments (S1–S6). S1–S4 form the voltage-sensing domain (VSD), with S4 being crucial for sensing changes in membrane potential due to its positively charged arginines. S5 and S6 segments from each subunit contribute to forming the central pore domain that selectively conducts K⁺ ions. Kv7 channels play key roles in neuronal excitability, cardiac repolarization, and auditory function. They open at subthreshold potentials (~−60 mV), producing slowly activating, non-inactivating outward currents that dampen excitability. Kv7 channel activity requires phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) binding for opening. Mutations in different KCNQ genes cause various human diseases like cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy and deafness.

Other names

KCNQ channelsKCNQ1KCNQ2KCNQ3KCNQ4KCNQ5

Ezogabine/Retigabine activate neuronal isoforms via binding to either pore or VSD regions. ML252 inhibits specific sites on the channel protein structure.