HERG K+ channels: Molecular basis of gating

正常心跳的节奏是由离子流介导的电信号控制的。离子穿过心脏细胞膜的运动主要是由离子通道蛋白介导的。其中一种叫做HERG的蛋白质具有一些非常不寻常的特性，使其非常适合抑制异常的心跳。我们建议对HERG通道开启和关闭的机制进行详细调查。这一结果将有助于我们更好地理解HERG通道是如何工作的，以及心脏病患者的HERG通道功能改变是如何导致心律异常和心源性猝死风险增加的。

The rhythm of the normal heart beat is controlled by electrical signals mediated by the flow of ions. The movement of ions across heart cell membranes is predominantly mediated by ion channel proteins. One of these proteins, called HERG, has some very unusual properties that make it well suited for suppressing abnormal heart beats. We propose to undertake a detailed investigation of the mechanisms by which HERG channels open and close. The results will provided a greater understanding of how HERG channels work and how altered function of HERG channels in patients with heart disease leads to an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death.