Jump to content

Mechanism of delayed rectifier K channel gating by extracellar potassium?

Xalatan
in Anatomy, Physiology and Neuroscience

Featured Replies

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/hypokalemia-repolarization-qt-prolongation.313878/

 

Apparently IKr channels are gated by extracellular potassium, and Ke determines the conductance of IKr channels.

 

This supposedly explains why counter-intuitively hypokalaemia prolongs the QT interval and increases the risk of early afterdepolarisation and torsade de pointes.

 

Can someone with insight kindly explain how this gating works at the molecular level? Input would be really appreciated. Is there a pocket on the extra cellular domain of the IKr channel that binds potassium agonistically? I'm thinking along the lines of the GABA-A channel having a modulatory domain for benzodiazepines.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.