HERG, A HUMAN INWARD RECTIFIER IN THE VOLTAGE-GATED POTASSIUM CHANNELFAMILY

In contrast to other members of the Eag family of voltage-gated, outwa rdly rectifying potassium channels, the human eag-related gene (HERG) has now been shown to encode an inwardly rectifying potassium channel. The properties of HERG channels are consistent with the gating proper ties of Eag-related and other outwardly rectifying, S4-containing pota ssium channels, but with the addition of an inactivation mechanism tha t attenuates potassium efflux during depolarization. Because mutations in HERG cause a form of long-QT syndrome, these properties of HERG ch annel function may be critical to the maintenance of normal cardiac rh ythmicity.