Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2 (KCNQ2) (KCNQ2)

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2 (KCNQ2), also known as Kv7.2, is a critical protein that forms voltage-gated potassium channels primarily in the central nervous system. While it frequently heteromerizes with KCNQ3 to form the M-current, KCNQ2 can also form functional homomeric channels that play a significant role in regulating neuronal excitability (UniProt P48522; IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology). These channels mediate a slow-activating and non-inactivating potassium current that stabilizes the resting membrane potential and limits repetitive action potential firing (PubMed: 25200625). Mutations in the KCNQ2 gene are a primary cause of neonatal epilepsy, ranging from Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC) to severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (KCNQ2-DEE) (StatPearls: KCNQ2-Related Epilepsy). Pharmacologically, KCNQ2 is a major target for anticonvulsant drugs like retigabine, which act as positive allosteric modulators to open the channel and reduce neuronal overactivity. Current drug development focuses on highly selective KCNQ2/3 openers, such as XEN1101, to treat refractory epilepsy and neuropathic pain while minimizing off-target effects like urinary retention or sedation.

Other names

Kv7.2Potassium channel subunit alpha Kv7.2KQT-like 2BFNCEBFN1KCNA11ENB1

Positive allosteric modulation (channel opening) to increase potassium efflux and hyperpolarize the neuronal membrane, thereby reducing hyperexcitability.