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Voltage-gated and stretch-activated potassium channels in the human heart

Pathophysiological and clinical significance

Spannungsabhängige und dehnungssensitive Kaliumkanäle im menschlichen Herzen

Pathophysiologische und klinische Signifikanz

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Abstract

Ion channels are essential for electrical signaling and contractility in cardiomyocytes. Detailed knowledge about the molecular function and regulation of cardiac ion channels is crucial for understanding cardiac physiology and pathophysiology especially in the field of arrhythmias. This review aims at providing a general overview on the identity, functional characteristics, and roles of voltage-gated as well as stretch-activated potassium selective channels in the heart. In particular, we will highlight potential therapeutic targets as well as the emerging fields of future investigations.

Zusammenfassung

Ionenkanäle sind essenziell für die elektrische und mechanische Aktivität von Kardiomyozyten. Entscheidend für ein detailliertes kausales Verständnis der kardialen Physiologie und Pathophysiologie von Arrhythmien ist die Erforschung der zugrundeliegenden molekularen Funktionen und Regulationsmechanismen kardialer Ionenkanäle. Dieser Übersichtsartikel fasst neuere Erkenntnisse über Identität, funktionelle Charakteristika und Bedeutung von spannungsabhängigen und dehnungssensitiven Kaliumkanälen des Herzens zusammen. Dabei sollen besonders neue therapeutische Angriffspunkte und zukünftige Forschungsrichtungen herausgestellt werden.

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Funding

This study was supported in part by research grants from the University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine (Rahel Goitein-Straus Scholarship and Olympia-Morata Scholarship to C.S.), from the DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research; Excellence Grant to C.S.), from the German Heart Foundation/German Foundation of Heart Research (F/41/15 to C.S.), from the Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine to RP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Constanze Schmidt

  2. DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Constanze Schmidt

  3. Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Elsässer Straße 2q, 79110, Freiburg, Germany

    Rémi Peyronnet

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  1. Constanze Schmidt
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Correspondence to Rémi Peyronnet.

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C. Schmidt and R. Peyronnet declare that they have no competing interests.

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Schmidt, C., Peyronnet, R. Voltage-gated and stretch-activated potassium channels in the human heart. Herzschr Elektrophys 29, 36–42 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-017-0541-z

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