Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 7 (KCNA7)

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 7 (KCNA7) is an ion channel protein that forms a voltage-gated potassium-selective pore, contributing to the repolarization phase of cardiac action potentials and regulating potassium ion flux across excitable membranes[1][2][3]. It is predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle, the heart, and the kidney, and encodes a subunit with six transmembrane domains characteristic of the shaker-related potassium channel family[2][3]. KCNA7 is a candidate gene for inherited cardiac disorders and may be implicated in the pathogenesis or modulation of conditions such as progressive familial heart block and myotonia congenita[2][3]. Drugs such as amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine, 4-aminopyridine, tetraethylammonium, and verapamil are known to interact with this channel, predominantly as blockers[3]. Given its essential role in cardiac excitability and conduction, dysfunctional KCNA7 or therapeutic modulation carries risks of cardiac arrhythmia and related safety issues.

Other names

Kv1.7HAK6Voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv1.7Potassium channel, voltage-gated shaker related subfamily A, member 7Voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv1.7Voltage-gated potassium channel KCNA7Potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member 7

Blockage of the potassium channel to alter cardiac excitability and repolarization (for antiarrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine, and verapamil); Inhibition of potassium current to affect membrane potential and conduction velocity