Potassium channel protein (various cardiac potassium currents)

Cardiac potassium channels are membrane-spanning proteins that facilitate the passive movement of potassium ions (K⁺) across the cardiac cell membrane, following their electrochemical gradient. These channels play a central role in regulating the resting membrane potential, determining pacemaker cell frequency, and shaping both the duration and morphology of the cardiac action potential. Their coordinated activity is essential for normal heart rhythm and adaptation to physiological demands. Dysfunction or mutations in these channels can lead to arrhythmias. They are major drug targets for antiarrhythmic therapies.

Other names

Cardiac potassium channelsI_Ks channelsI_Kr channelsI_K1 channelsI_to channelsI_Kur channelsI_KAch channels

Blockage or opening of potassium channels to modulate cardiac action potential duration and repolarization.