Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

Voltage-gated potassium channels are transmembrane proteins that allow flow of potassium across the membrane
to regulate ion homeostasis, cell proliferation, migration, cell volume, and specific processes such as muscular
contraction. Aberrant function or expression of potassium channels can underlie pathologies ranging from heart
arrhythmia to cancer; the expression of potassium channels is altered in many types of cancer and that alteration
correlates with malignancy and poor prognosis. Targeting potassium channels therefore constitutes a promising
approach for cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss strategies to target a particular family of potassium
channels, the voltage-gated potassium channels (KV) where a reasonable structural understanding is available.
We also discuss the possible obstacles and advantages of such a strategy.