Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 6 (KCNA6)

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 6 (KCNA6 or Kv1.6) is a delayed rectifier-type voltage-gated potassium channel alpha subunit belonging to the shaker-related family. The channel consists of four subunits, each with six transmembrane domains, and participates in the repolarization of the membrane potential in excitable cells such as neurons and muscle cells. KCNA6 contributes to the regulation of neurotransmitter release, heart rate, insulin secretion, and many other physiological processes. Its main mechanism involves forming a selective pore that permits potassium ions to exit the cell in response to membrane depolarization, thus restoring resting membrane potential. Recent studies have implicated de novo mutations in KCNA6 in neurodevelopmental disorders, including early-onset epilepsy and intellectual disability, due to dominant effects on channel deactivation. While there are no known highly selective drugs for Kv1.6, the target is considered significant for modulating excitability in the nervous and possibly endocrine systems.

Other names

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 6KCNA6Kv1.6HBK2PPP1R96Voltage-gated potassium channel HBK2Voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv1.6protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 96human brain potassium channel-2potassium channel, voltage-gated shaker-related subfamily A member 6potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member 6

For general potassium channel blockers: blockade of voltage-gated potassium channel pore, leading to prolonged action potentials. For activators: enhanced potassium efflux, increased membrane repolarization. For mutations: dominant-negative effects on deactivation kinetics, altered neuronal excitability.