Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv7.1 , Slo1

Title: Novel gene hKCNE4 slows the activation of the KCNQ1 channel.

Authors: Siyong Teng, Lijuan Ma, Yisong Zhen, Chunxia Lin, Robert Bähring, Vitya Vardanyan, Olaf Pongs, Rutai Hui

Journal, date & volume: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2003 Apr 11 , 303, 808-13

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12670483

Abstract
The KCNE genes encode small, single transmembrane domain peptides that associate with pore-forming potassium channel subunits to form mixed complexes with unique characteristics. We have identified a novel member of the human KCNE gene family, hKCNE4. The hKCNE4 gene encodes 170 amino acid protein and is localized to chromosome 2q35-36. The protein sequence shows 90% homology to mouse KCNE4 and 38% identity to human KCNE1. Northern blot analysis revealed that hKCNE4 is expressed strongly in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney, less in placenta, lung, and liver, and weakly in brain and blood cells. Electrophysiological study showed that hKCNE4 modulates the activation of the KCNQ1 channel.