KCNA7 Membrane Protein Introduction

Introduction of KCNA7

KCNA7 encoded by KCNA7 gene is a member of potassium channel, voltage-gated, shaker-related subfamily which regulates the transportation of potassium ions across the membrane in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. KCNA7 protein has 456 amino acid residues and 6 transmembrane segments (S1-S6) forming a central core domain, cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. The S4 with shaker-type repeat is probably the voltage-sensor. The N-terminus may be very essential for determining the rate of inactivation of the channel. KCNA7 is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, and kidney.

Function of KCNA7 Membrane Protein

KCNA7 functions as a voltage-gated potassium channel subunit involved in the regulation of potassium ion permeability of excitable membranes in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. It has been revealed that KCNA7 is responsible for the cardiac transient outward potassium current which is the main contributing current for repolarization phase 1 of the cardiac action potential. KCNA7 has been reported to be associated with the development of inherited cardiac disorders. Furthermore, KCNA7 is widely found in skeletal muscle where it involves in the hypoxia-induced membrane depolarization responses. And the T418M polymorphism in KCNA7 is associated with the aerobic endurance. Additionally, KCNA7 is also expressed in pancreatic beta-cells where it regulates insulin secretion. During glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), KCNA7 has been revealed to mediate the KCNA7 membrane-repolarizing current of beta cells. And blocking KCNA7 could increase GSIS. Hence, KCNA7 antagonists may be regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for Type 2 diabetes.

Fig.1 Domain structure and structural conservation between potassium channel subfamilies. (Sandoz, 2013)

Application of KCNA7 Membrane Protein in Literature

1. Finol-Urdaneta R.K., et al. Block of Kv1.7 potassium currents increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. EMBO Mol Med. 2012, 4(5):424-34. PubMed ID: 22438204
   
   

   The study indicates that Kv1.7 is responsible for the main membrane-repolarizing current of beta cells during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Moreover, blocking Kv1.7 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for Type 2 diabetes.

2. Fantozzi I., et al. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 upregulates expression and function of voltage-gated K⁺ channels in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. American Journal of Physiology Lung Cellular & Molecular Physiology. 2006, 291(5):993-1004. PubMed ID: 16815889
   
   

   The study shows that the increased activity of voltage-gated K(⁺) (K(v)) channels may be associated with the proapoptotic and/or antiproliferative effects of BMP-2 on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

3. Finol-Urdaneta R.K., et al. Molecular and functional differences between heart mKv1.7 channel isoforms. Journal of General Physiology. 2006, 128(1):133-45. PubMed ID: 16801386
   
   

   The study identifies Kv1.7 channels as molecular entities of potential importance in cellular redox-stress conditions such as hypoxia via mRNA expression profile and redox modulation of mKv1.7 kinetics.

4. Barfield J.P., et al. Characterization of potassium channels involved in volume regulation of human spermatozoa. Molecular Human Reproduction. 2005, 11(12):891-897. PubMed ID: 16421215
   
   

   The study shows the possible role of Kv1.4, Kv1.7, TASK2 and TASK3 channels in human spermatozoa. But Kv1.5 and mink may serve as the most possible candidates for human sperm regulatory volume decrease.

5. Bardien-Kruger S., et al. Characterisation of the human voltage-gated potassium channel gene, KCNA7, a candidate gene for inherited cardiac disorders, and its exclusion as cause of progressive familial heart block I (PFHBI). European Journal of Human Genetics. 2002, 10(1):36-43. PubMed ID: 11896454
   
   

   The study proves that KCNA7 may be not a candidate gene causing progressive familial heart block I (PFHBI). Further studies need to investigate the role of KCNA7 in the heart.

KCNA7 Preparation Options

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Reference

1. Sandoz G and Levitz J. (2013). Optogenetic techniques for the study of native potassium channels. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 6:6.

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