Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir6.2 , Kv1.4 , Kv4.2

Title: Developmental expression of cloned cardiac potassium channels.

Authors: S L Roberds, M M Tamkun

Journal, date & volume: FEBS Lett., 1991 Jun 24 , 284, 152-4

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2060634

Abstract
Cardiac K+ channels are responsible for repolarization of the action potential and are the targets of several antiarrhythmic drugs. This study examines the differential expression of six K+ channel mRNAs during rat heart development. RK1 and RK2 K+ channel transcripts were undetectable prior to 10 days after birth. In contrast, RK4 mRNA was present at equivalent levels from day 14 in utero to 20 days after birth. RK3 and RK5 were detected as early as 14 days in utero. These data indicate that K+ channel expression in the heart is closely regulated and further argue for physiologically distinct roles for K+ channel isoforms.