Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 5 (KCNQ5) (Kv7.5)

Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 5 (Kv7.5) is a transmembrane protein encoded by the KCNQ5 gene that forms voltage-gated potassium channels, primarily in the brain and smooth muscle [1, 2]. It is a key component of the M-current, which regulates neuronal excitability by controlling the resting membrane potential and preventing repetitive firing [1, 3]. In the central nervous system, Kv7.5 is localized in areas such as the hippocampus and cortex, where it influences synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions [3]. Pathogenic variants in KCNQ5 are linked to intellectual disability and epileptic encephalopathy, highlighting its critical role in neurodevelopment [3]. Additionally, Kv7.5 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, where it contributes to the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure [4]. Therapeutic strategies often involve positive allosteric modulators, such as retigabine, which enhance channel activity to treat conditions characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability [5]. However, developing selective ligands is difficult due to the high structural similarity between Kv7.5 and other members of the Kv7 family [5]. Sources: [1] UniProt (Q9NR82) [2] NCBI Gene (ID: 56479) [3] Lehman et al. (2017), PMID: 28942963 [4] Brueggemann et al. (2011), PMID: 21139043 [5] Gunthorpe et al. (2012), PMID: 22305715

Other names

KCNQ5Potassium channel protein KQT5Voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv7.5KQT-like 5

Positive allosteric modulation (channel opening) to stabilize the resting membrane potential and reduce neuronal firing; or channel inhibition to increase excitability in specific experimental contexts [1, 5].